What is atomic?

What is atomic?

The word "atomic" refers to the smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and make up all physical objects.

An atom consists of a central nucleus, which is made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that orbit the nucleus. The number of protons in the nucleus determines the atomic number of an element, which is used to classify and identify elements on the periodic table.

Atomic theory, which was first proposed by John Dalton in the early 19th century, states that all matter is made up of atoms that cannot be created or destroyed but can be rearranged through chemical reactions.

Atomic physics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior and interactions of atoms and subatomic particles. This field has led to many important discoveries and technologies, including nuclear energy, atomic clocks, and molecular biology.