Page 51 - The Miracle in the Atom
P. 51

The Structure Of The Atom

                 Electrons are small particles, almost two thousandth the size of neut-
             rons and protons. An atom has the same number of electrons as protons and
             each electron bears a negative (-) charge equal to the positive (+) charge bor-
             ne by each proton. The total positive (+) charge in the nucleus and the total
             negative (-) charge of the electrons cancel each other and the atom becomes
             neutral.
                 The electric charge they carry obliges electrons to obey certain laws of
             physics. One of these laws of physics is that "same electrical charges repel
             each other and opposite charges attract each other".
                 First, under normal circumstances, the electrons, all negatively charged,
             would be expected to repel each other by obeying this rule and shoot away
             from the nucleus. Yet, this does not happen. If the electrons were scattered
             from the nucleus, then the universe would consist of idle protons, neutrons

             and electrons wandering in the void. Second, the positively charged nucleus
             would be expected to attract the negative charged electrons and the elect-
             rons would stick to the nucleus. In that case, the nucleus would attract all the
             electrons and the atom would implode.
                 However, none of these things occur. The abovementioned extraordi-
             nary escape velocities of the electrons (1,000 km/sec), the repelling force
             they exert on each other and the force of attraction the nucleus exerts on the
             electrons are based on such precise values that these three contradicting fac-
             tors perfectly balance each other. As a result, this outstanding system inside
             the atom runs without falling apart. Even if a single one of these forces im-
             pinging on the atom were a little bit more or less than it has to be, the atom
             would never exist.
                 In addition to these factors, if the nuclear forces binding protons and
             neutrons in the nucleus to each other did not exist, protons having equal
             charges could not even come close to each other, much less bond together in
             a nucleus. In the same manner, the neutrons would never be able to stick to

             the nucleus. As a result, there would be no nucleus and therefore, no atom.
                 All these fine calculations are indications that even a single atom is not
             idle but acts under the perfect control of Allah. Otherwise, it would be inevi-



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