What is everything around us made of? How are the most varied existing materials formed? The name itself says: all material comes from matter and matter is made up of atoms.
If analyzing an atom alone in its structure, we will observe the following aspects: absence of color and visibility, that is, it is not noticeable. But if we agglomerate a large number of atoms molecules will emerge, and these will join with more molecules to form even bigger ones and different from each other. After a while you have a huge variety of compounds, and that's exactly how everything around us is formed.
But don't think that this conception of the atom arose overnight. In ancient times the prevailing theory was that of the four elements: earth, fire, air and water. This was the idea espoused by the ancient alchemists. As time went by, the atom was revealed and today, in the age of technology, we cannot despise the atomic theory, even because the comfort we currently enjoy depends on these principles, such as the microwave oven, television, etc.
These and other technologies depend on the existence of this fundamental particle: the atom.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Atoms and the construction of the Universe"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/atomos-construcao-universo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
