MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: Are all atoms the same size by volume?

Date: Sat May 20 12:55:32 2000
Posted By: J. van der Rijt, Grad student, faculty of chemical technology, PhD student chemistry, Technical University of Enschede
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 958529025.Ch
Message:

Dear sir,

Unfortunately, in my opinion your hypothesis is incorrect.
There are differences in volume between the various atoms. This is clearly
visible in the various crystals. Because of the volume which ions occupy in
a crystal packing, combination of certain positive and negative ions in a
crystal structure (read combinations of different volumes) lead to different
threedimensional packing into the crystal. According to your hypothesis all
crystals would have the same structure.

Also when hypothesizing about the same volumes for every atom, it would lead
to the same volume occupied by increasing numbers of electrons. This of
course would lead to increasing ground energy of the atoms in the periodic
system. Since up to lead (82 electrons) stable isotopes are proven, it would
be very unlikely in this hypothesis that these atoms are stable.

Concerning your hypothesis on 100 g of feathers leading to 100 g of lead
when compressed to the same volume. Feathers are composed of organic
compounds, mainly composed of C,H,O,N and S atoms. Theoretically atomic
fusion at extremely high pressure and temperatures might lead to formation
of lead, though it is known from nuclear fusion in stars that the ultimate 
destiny of nuclei in stars is in formation of iron.

Yours sincerely,

J. van der Rijt, MSc




Current Queue | Current Queue for Chemistry | Chemistry archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2000. All rights reserved.