Page 45 - The Miracle in the Atom
P. 45
The Structure Of The Atom
The space between the protons and electrons of the atom is as wide as
the area marked on the above map.
eye. I would be as small as a tiny dust particle of the size of a several
thousandth of a millimetre. 18
At this point, we realise that there is a similarity between the largest
and the smallest spaces known in the universe. When we turn our eyes to
the stars, there again we see a void similar to that in the atoms. There are vo-
ids of billions of kilometres both between the stars and between the galaxies.
Yet, in both of these voids, an order that is beyond the understanding of hu-
man mind prevails.
Inside the Nucleus: Protons and Neutrons
Until 1932, it was thought that the nucleus only consisted of protons
and electrons. It was discovered then that there are not electrons but neut-
rons in the nucleus besides the protons. (The renowned scientist Chadwick
proved in 1932 the existence of neutrons in the nucleus and he was awarded
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