Atom Definition
An atom is the basic unit of an element, and is made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms combine to form molecules, like water.
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Atoms & Molecules
Fun Facts
- Atoms are more than 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
- A Scanning Tunneling Microscope can show individual atoms.
- DNA is made from atoms.
Why Do We Need To Know About Atom
Learning about atoms helps us understand what everything is made of and is important for creating new medicines. Doctors use this knowledge to make new drugs that can mimic the good stuff in our bodies to fight off diseases for people who are missing them.
Chemists study atoms and how to put them together. By learning about atoms, we know why we need certain elements, like iron, to stay healthy. This shows us how eating a variety of foods keeps us in good shape.
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