So how well do you think you know your basic general chemistry?Put the following items in order from biggest to smallest:
molecule
atom
neuron
quark
electron
proton
Easy? Hard? Here's a clue, if a proton was the size of a basketball, an electron would be the size of a piece of rice. Another clue, a molecule is made of many atoms. And a neuron is a brain cell. Got the answer? Here it is:
neuron -> molecule -> atom -> proton -> electron -> quark
Until 2010, it was thought that a proton was 0.877 fentometres in diameter. However, recent studies show that a proton is significantly smaller, measuring in at 0.8418 fentometres. I was shocked to find that a difference in .0352 fentometres was a "significant" amount. Thinking about the size of atoms is kind of like thinking of the size of a universe. It takes your mind to this place beyond conscious thought.
2 comments:
i got it right. well. i looked at the answer half way between but i did know the order (thanks Vandy).
Excellent pop quiz. And you bring up a good point. You kind of have to step outside yourself to try and comprehend the size and space these tiny things occupy. I have all kinds of questions!
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