structure of an atom

structure of an atom

Kiwis are a delight to our taste buds, but have you ever noticed their inner portion? It has a light-colored center and surrounding layers of black seeds located within the pulp of the fruit.

If we compare an atom to a kiwi, the concentrated central portion can be compared to the positively charged atomic nucleus and the black colored seeds with negatively charged electrons. It was believed that these electrons revolve around the nucleus like the earth and the other planets revolve around the sun. As we know, the atom is the smallest particle of an element and no one can see the movement of these electrons with the naked eye. The nucleus has two types of subatomic particles, positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. The earlier concept of a mature nucleus and obedient electrons maintaining a regular, normal path was proposed by the Danish scientist Niels Bohr.

In 1922, Bohr received the Nobel Prize for proposing this atomic structure that laid the foundation for quantum physics. But do you think that the passive and obedient electrons and the silent nucleus can generate the radioactivity? They will live happily together from then on, won’t they? But the reality is the tremendous energy of radioactivity. Powerful alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, X-rays, and constantly moving quarks and neutrinos are the truth. What do these invincible phenomena contribute? When Bohr’s atomic structure could not explain these phenomena, scientists came up with various ideas that included electrons moving in the same circular orbits but in different directions. Among them, Louis De Broglie borrowed Einstein’s wave theory of light and explained that all forms of matter such as protons, electrons, atoms and molecules show a dual character like light. de Broigle, using Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic waves, formulated the concept of matter waves. Matter waves are waves associated with moving microscopic particles.

Let’s go back to the kiwi to understand the concept. In the picture, you must have seen the tender flesh scattered around the black seeds. Imagine, these soft layers are the path of those seeds moving in and around and the soft layers are formed due to the movement of those seeds. Instead of forming a round path, the path formed by the seeds is like waves. Similar is the case with the path of electrons around the nucleus. These paths of electrons around the nucleus are called orbitals. Orbitals are regions in space around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found.

Now, let’s understand why scientists were concerned about the structure of the atom in terms of radioactivity. What is radioactivity? Radioactivity is the emission of radiation or particles caused by the disintegration of the atomic nucleus. Alpha particles Positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Beta particles are negatively charged and are generated by the nucleus during its decay process, while gamma rays are neutral radiation. If Bohr’s model of the atom were correct, an atom will always have a stable nucleus with the same number of protons survived by the same number of obedient electrons moving around it at a desirable speed.

The disintegration of the nucleus indicated the possibility of charge difference and increasing stress within the nucleus. The main reason could be the charge mismatch and that led to the discovery of the wave theory of subatomic particles. This concept led Werner Karl Heisenberg to formulate a principle about the location of electrons within atomic orbitals called the Hesenberg uncertainty principle. Heisenberg stated that “it is not possible to simultaneously and accurately determine both the position and the momentum of a moving microscopic particle such as an electron, a proton, etc.” According to the uncertainty principle, due to the wave nature of the electron, we cannot describe the exact path, that is, the position followed by an electron at any moment. Thus, Bohr’s theory, according to which electrons are considered to have a fixed position of defined energy, is no longer correct.

How does it affect humans if we believe that Bohr’s model of the atom is the correct model and shut down all further research based on the wave theory? If scientists did not explore the truth behind atomic structure,

1. We could never have treated cancer patients.

Gamma rays are used to kill cancer cells and are used for cancer treatment. The element atom Cobalt-60 is commonly used for this purpose. The use of radiation to fight cancer is an important race. With the increasing rate of cancer cases around the world, a radiation therapy degree recognizes many opportunities.

2. Kill microbes

Gamma rays are used successfully to destroy microbes that cause food spoilage. Surgical instruments and syringes can also be treated with gamma rays. It is a great way to prevent infections from being transferred.

3. Carbon dating

When an animal or plant dies, it stops absorbing carbon. But its carbon-14 content continues to decline. If we compare carbon-14 with that of a living being, the age of animal and plant remains can be calculated. This is known as carbon dating. Carbon dating is used in the study of fossils. It is also a great career that has opportunities in the disciplines of archaeology, paleontology, etc.

4. Calculation of the age of rocks

The remaining 1.2% of the potassium atoms are radioactive, known as K-40. The nucleus of this atom decays over twelve thousand years and finally decays to form the stable argon atom. By tracking the argon content of potassium rocks, scientists can calculate the age of such rocks. Therefore, it is a great support for geologists and geographers.