atom

Introduction

CE5

Bohr-Rutherford atom

CE5

Probability distribution of the electron in the hydrogen atom: A. Ground state B. Highly excited state

atom [Gr.,=uncuttable (indivisible)], basic unit of matter; more properly, the smallest unit of a chemical element having the properties of that element.

Sections in this article:

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Physics