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Article: The atom.
- Article from:
- Science Weekly
- Article date:
- December 2, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Science Weekly, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Background
Throughout the universe, the smallest whole unit in life is the atom. Atoms do contain smaller subatomic parts (protons, neutrons, and electrons). Yet, when separated, they lose the unique properties they have as atoms. Atoms are the building blocks of matter. Everything we can see in the universe is made of atoms. And some things we cannot see (like air) are also made of matter.
Scientists believe all matter comes from the stars. When a star is born, atoms crash and smash together, releasing protons and energy to create new matter. There are ninety-two naturally occurring atoms, and in laboratories, scientists ...