Atom: meaning, definitions and examples
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atom
[ ˈætəm ]
chemistry
The smallest component of an element, characterized by its chemical properties.
Synonyms
elementary particle, molecule, particle
Examples of usage
- A molecule of water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
- Carbon atoms can bond together to form various compounds.
- The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number.
physics
The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
Synonyms
elementary particle, nucleus, particle
Examples of usage
- The nucleus of an atom contains positively charged protons and neutral neutrons.
- Electrons orbit around the nucleus of an atom in specific energy levels.
- Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in their atoms.
computing
A fundamental unit of data storage in computing, typically representing a single piece of data.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- In computer programming, a byte is composed of 8 bits, each of which is represented by an atom of data.
- An atom in a database table corresponds to a single value in a record.
- The smallest addressable unit of memory is considered an atom in computing.
Translations
Translations of the word "atom" in other languages:
🇵🇹 átomo
🇮🇳 परमाणु
🇩🇪 Atom
🇮🇩 atom
🇺🇦 атом
🇵🇱 atom
🇯🇵 原子 (げんし)
🇫🇷 atome
🇪🇸 átomo
🇹🇷 atom
🇰🇷 원자
🇸🇦 ذرة
🇨🇿 atom
🇸🇰 atóm
🇨🇳 原子 (yuánzǐ)
🇸🇮 atom
🇮🇸 atóm
🇰🇿 атом
🇬🇪 ატომი
🇦🇿 atom
🇲🇽 átomo
Etymology
The word 'atom' originates from the Greek word 'atomos', meaning indivisible. The concept of atoms as the fundamental building blocks of matter dates back to ancient Greek philosophers such as Democritus. In the 19th century, John Dalton developed the modern atomic theory, which proposed that elements are composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms. The discovery of subatomic particles like protons, neutrons, and electrons further expanded our understanding of the structure of atoms.
See also: atomic, atomization, atomize, atomizer, atomizing, subatomic.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #4,730, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.
- ...
- 4727 meaningful
- 4728 verb
- 4729 deputy
- 4730 atom
- 4731 simplicity
- 4732 favourable
- 4733 extensively
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