The Structure of Atoms

Abstract

The many divisions and sub-divisions which have appeared in science over the past century apparently present a bewildering confusion. Thus, the many branches of science are chemistry, physics, botany, zoology, geology, meteorology, agronomy and several others. Each of these is further divided into subfields. Chemistry, for instance, has branched out into physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, and so on. In the broad field of physics, again, we have sub-divisions of heat, light, sound, magnetism, electricity, and several others. However, behind the apparent diversity of these fields and specializations, there is a unifying theme running through all these branches. The atomic and molecular theory of matter which indeed is the starting point for each of these sciences provides this bond. All matter is made up of small particles called atoms and molecules and it is through detailed understanding of their structures and interactions that we can understand the complex behaviour of matter and materials around us.