Atom meaning
The definition of an atom is the smallest component of an element, characterized by a sharing of the chemical properties of the element and a nucleus with neutrons, protons and electrons.
noun
The protons and the neutrons reside in the nucleus.
noun
Any of the indivisible particles postulated by philosophers as the basic component of all matter.
noun
Advertisement
The smallest unit of an element, consisting of at least one proton and (for all elements except hydrogen) one or more neutrons in a dense central nucleus, surrounded by one or more shells of electrons. In electrically neutral atoms, the number of protons equals the number of electrons. Atoms remain intact in chemical reactions except for the removal, transfer, or exchange of certain electrons.
An extremely small part, quantity, or amount.
noun
(mathematics) A non-zero member of a Boolean algebra that is not a union of any other elements. [from 20th c.]
noun
An atom includes a nucleus, and then a series of orbital circles that surround this nucleus similar to the solar system structure.
noun
The electrons are in the orbitals.
noun
Advertisement
The amount of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines its atomic number.
Hydrogen and helium are examples of elements that have an atom.
noun
A tiny particle of anything; jot.
noun
Any of the smallest particles of an element that combine with similar particles of other elements to produce compounds: atoms combine to form molecules, and consist of a complex arrangement of electrons revolving about a positively charged nucleus containing (except for hydrogen) protons and neutrons and other particles.
noun
The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something. (Now generally interpreted as a figurative use of the physics sense, above.) [from 17th c.]
noun
the atom
- Nuclear energy.
idiom
Advertisement
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
the atom
Origin of atom
-
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Wiktionary