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-
49