How do scientists know what an atom looks like, to make a model of one?
How do they know that each molecule in the scientific charts has specific
protons, neutrons, and in what orders if an atom cannot be seen? How can
you prove this?
There is no simple answer to your questions. There is no "atomic
microscope" which would allow one to look inside an atom and say, "Aha! There's 7 blue protons, 6 green neutrons, and 7 red electrons." The way
the structure of the atom was determined was by doing many experiments. Each experiment looked at a different part of the atom.
The results of all the experiments were then put together into what we call a "model". By looking at the model, scientists were able to make predictions about the way an atom should behave. More experiments showed that the atoms behaved the way the scientists predicted. This agreement between the experimental results and the predictions
based on the model is what is called "proof".
Submitted by Ashlee (age 9, Dallas, TX, USA)
(September 26, 1997)
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Learn about Earth and space science, and have fun while doing it! The
games section of our
online store includes a
climate change card game and the
Traveling Nitrogen game!
You might also be interested in:
It depends on which type of motion you are asking about. If you take a birds-eye view from the top of the solar system all the planets orbit around the Sun in a counter-clockwise (or direct) direction.
...more
Have you ever wondered how astronauts live in space? Did you know they do a lot of the same things we do here on Earth? Astronauts eat, exercise and sleep just like we do. However, their food isn't always
...more
There is a really neat internet program called Solar System Live that shows where all of the planets and the Sun are. If you go to that page, you'll see an image similar to the one on the left. Below the
...more
The picture of the American Flag (the one put there by the Apollo astronauts) is waving (or straight out) in the wind. How could that be possible if there is no atmosphere on the Moon? Was it some sort
...more
I was wondering if there is a new planet? Are there planets (a tenth planet?) after Pluto belonging to our solar system? What are the names of the new planets discovered in the solar system? Are there
...more
When an object has a really high energy, it can form a black hole. This is called a primordial black hole. Primordial black holes were formed near the beginning of the universe. Primoridal black holes
...more
