• Question: What is HOW SMALL IS A ATOM.

    Asked by Samuelgold9000 to Gemma, Hussain, Robert, Ross on 7 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Hussain Jaffery

      Hussain Jaffery answered on 7 Nov 2015:

      Great question! Atoms have a nucleus in the centre, made up of protons and neutrons. The nucleus of atoms is orbited by electrons.

      The nucleus of hydrogen, which is the first element on the periodic table, has only one proton in its atomic nucleus. Hydrogen has an end-to-end width of 50 picometres or 50 millionth millionths of a metre. This is the smallest atom.

      On the other end, somewhere in the heavier elements in the periodic table we have uranium, number 92, which you may have heard is radioactive. This means that the nucleus of this atom is so big and heavy that it can’t hold it together for too long and it falls apart, releasing energy as it does so. The atom of uranium, when stable, is about 350 picometres or a millionth millionths of a metre.

      Whichever atom you pick, they are super tiny!

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