Atoms and molecules (1500 знаков)

ATOMS AND MOLECULES (1500 знаков)

Atoms (electrically charged particles) and molecules are best described as objects just like the weights in the Grandfather clock and magnets. Therefore, they have energy in much the same way. Atoms consist of a nucleus housing protons and neutrons and surrounding this nucleus are electrons.

A solid, liquid or a gas has atoms and molecules that are in constant motion. In solids, the molecules vibrate back and forth. In liquids, individual molecules remain close together but they can move freely about and bounce into other molecules. In gases, molecules move rapidly to fill all the available space.

Take a pencil for example, you cannot see this because the atoms are too small and the motion is random. Due to the movement of these atoms, they are said to have kinetic energy. Scientists have shown that the average speed at which these atoms and molecules move depends on temperature.

This means, the hotter something is, the greater the kinetic energy of the atoms and the faster (on average) these atoms will be moving in comparison to the atoms of something that is cooler.

Atoms and molecules also have potential energy and this works similar to the potential energy of the magnets. Atoms are electrically charged, thus attract (to form a chemical bond) and repel like the "poles" of a magnet. This attraction and repulsion between particles is sometimes called "chemical energy". When chemicals react, they are effectively changing their chemical bonds between each other and thus, we observe energy being released or absorbed (potential energy).

ATOMS AND MOLECULES

Atoms (electrically charged particles) and molecules are best described as objects just like the weights in the Grandfather clock and magnets. Therefore, they have energy in much the same way. Atoms consist of a nucleus housing protons and neutrons and surrounding this nucleus are electrons.

A solid, liquid or a gas has atoms and molecules that are in constant motion. In solids, the molecules vibrate back and forth. In liquids, individual molecules remain close together but they can move freely about and bounce into other molecules. In gases, molecules move rapidly to fill all the available space.

Take a pencil for example, you cannot see this because the atoms are too small and the motion is random. Due to the movement of these atoms, they are said to have kinetic energy. Scientists have shown that the average speed at which these atoms and molecules move depends on temperature.

This means, the hotter something is, the greater the kinetic energy of the atoms and the faster (on average) these atoms will be moving in comparison to the atoms of something that is cooler.

Atoms and molecules also have potential energy and this works similar to the potential energy of the magnets. Atoms are electrically charged, thus attract (to form a chemical bond) and repel like the "poles" of a magnet. This attraction and repulsion between particles is sometimes called "chemical energy". When chemicals react, they are effectively changing their chemical bonds between each other and thus, we observe energy being released or absorbed (potential energy).

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04