Atomic physics

Atomic physics (or atom physics) is the field of physics that studies the electron hull of atoms.

Related Topics:
Physics - Electron - Atom

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Lay people often associate the term atomic physics with nuclear power and nuclear bombs, obviously due to the synonymous use of atomic and nuclear in standard English. However, physicists distinguish between atomic physics (dealing with the effects of the electron hull and the nucleus's overall spin and electric charge) and nuclear physics (dealing with the forces within the atomic nuclei and reactions that alter, fuse or split them).

Related Topics:
Nuclear power - Nuclear bomb - Synonym - Standard English - Electron - Spin - Electric charge - Nuclear physics - Atomic nuclei

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The beginning of atomic physics is marked by the discovery and scrutinious study of spectral lines. These are sharply defined lines in the spectrum of illuminated or (hot, hence ionized (see flame) and hence) light-emitting free atoms. ("Free" meaning that they are a gas or vapour and therefore not close to or interacting with other atoms.)

Related Topics:
Spectral line - Flame - Gas - Vapour

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The study of these lines led to the Bohr atom model and on to our present understanding of the electron hull of the atom as described by the orbital atom model which is the basis of all understanding of chemistry. These conclusions are, however, not at all straight-forward, but rather were required by more than a century of research, which has succeeded in putting chemistry on a sound fundament but also gave rise to many other applications.

Related Topics:
Bohr atom model - Orbital atom model - Chemistry

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