atoomen

Atoomen are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. The word "atoom" comes from the ancient Greek word "atomos," meaning indivisible. For a long time, scientists believed atoms were the smallest particles possible, but we now know they are made up of even smaller subatomic particles.

An atom consists of a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons. Protons have a positive electrical charge, while neutrons have no charge. Orbiting the nucleus are electrons, which have a negative electrical charge. The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines which element it is. For example, an atom with one proton is always hydrogen, and an atom with six protons is always carbon. The number of electrons usually equals the number of protons, making the atom electrically neutral.

Atoms combine in various ways to form molecules, which are the basis of all chemical compounds. The properties of an element, and thus the substances it can form, are determined by the structure of its atoms, particularly the arrangement of its electrons. Scientists study atoms and their interactions to understand the physical and chemical world around us.