Atoms and Molecules
Look around you. Your screen, your clothes, the air you breathe, and even your own body are made of stuff. But what happens if you take a piece of that stuff and cut it in half, over and over again? Will you eventually hit a piece so small it cannot be cut anymore?
What is Everything Made Of?
Atoms! The word atom actually comes from a Greek word meaning "uncuttable." They are the basic building blocks of all matter in the universe.
Surprisingly, no! Atoms are mostly empty space. The parts of an atom are spaced so incredibly far apart that if the centre was the size of a vibrating ball, the outer parts would be five football pitches away!
Put Your Instincts to the Test
Think about what you already know about matter. Pick an answer for each question, then see if your instincts were right.
The outer parts of the atoms move so fast and repel each other. Bill Nye the Science Guy compares this to a spinning fan. Even though there is space between the blades, they move so fast that you cannot push a piece of paper through them!
The number of protons inside their atoms. All matter is made of the same basic parts, but the exact number of heavy, positive particles called protons determines which specific element an atom will be.
Slightly less than two cups. Water and alcohol are made of molecules. Because there are tiny empty pockets between the alcohol molecules, the water molecules can fit perfectly into those spaces, resulting in less total volume.
Understanding the Science
Tap each card to reveal the explanation of these fundamental scientific concepts.
Key Concepts
Matter
Tap to learn moreMatter is everything in the universe that takes up space and has weight. From apples to zebras, and even the invisible air we breathe, if it is a "thing", it is matter. The only thing in the universe that is not matter is energy, like heat or light.
The Atom
Tap to learn moreAn atom is the tiny, invisible building block of all matter. Atoms are so incredibly small that a single sheet of paper is about one million atoms thick!
The Nucleus
Tap to learn moreThe nucleus is the heavy, dense centre of an atom. It contains two types of particles: protons, which have a positive electrical charge, and neutrons, which have no charge at all.
Electrons
Tap to learn moreElectrons are extremely small, lightweight particles with a negative charge. They buzz around the nucleus at incredible speeds, creating a large area of mostly empty space.
Molecules
Tap to learn moreWhen atoms stick together, they form molecules. If atoms are the letters of the universe, molecules are the words. For example, two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom combine to make a molecule of water, also known as H2O.
Try It: Build a Molecule
Drag atoms together to build real molecules and see how different combinations create different substances!
Apply Your Knowledge
Now that you understand the building blocks of the universe, let's put that knowledge to the test.
Match the Concepts
Click an object to select it, then click the matching description to place it.
Real-World Challenge
Imagine you have a magical magnifying glass that lets you zoom in to see individual atoms. If you looked at a glass of water, what "letters" (atoms) and "words" (molecules) would you see, and how would they be arranged?
What Has Changed Since This Episode Aired
This episode first aired in the 1990s. While the core science remains perfectly accurate, our tools for looking at the universe have advanced, revealing new details!
Updated: While atoms are the basic blocks of elements, we now know for certain that protons and neutrons can be broken down even further! They are made of even smaller, truly fundamental particles called quarks. In the episode, a guest physicist briefly mentions studying them, but today, quarks are a fully mapped part of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Updated: Not quite! In the 1990s, the periodic table had around 109 confirmed elements. Today, scientists have used incredible technology to smash atoms together and create superheavy elements in laboratories. We have now fully completed the seventh row of the periodic table, bringing the total to exactly 118 confirmed elements!
Test Your Understanding
Answer these questions and get instant feedback. How many can you get right?
Results
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Reflection
Look at an everyday object near you. Can you imagine the billions of tiny atoms buzzing inside it right now? How does knowing about atoms change the way you look at the world around you?
Episode Discussion
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