Re: Proof for atoms?

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

The stm images are tough as I suggested because they are really electron
density maps, so you can argue from them to a non-uniformity in space,
but perhaps not to the notion of distinct objects...like atoms.  On the
other hand, for the student that might be enough.

On Wed, 17 Apr 2002,
Scott Goelzer wrote:

> Do the images from atomic force microscopes count? I find them most
> impressive.
>
> Brownian Motion
> X ray diffraction patterns
> Law of Definite Proportions? (too much chem. for physics maybe)
>
> on 4/17/02 10:11 AM, John Mallinckrodt at ajmallinckro@CSUPOMONA.EDU wrote:
>
> > On Wed, 17 Apr 2002, John S. Denker wrote:
> >
> > > ... I was however impressed by how big the oil slick was.
> > > Atoms are pretty darn small!
> >
> > One of my favorite illustrations of this very hard to
> > overemphasize point is to consider the length of the line that
> > would be formed if you took all of the atoms in the tip of your
> > little finger (i.e., beyond the last joint) and (somehow) set them
> > side by side. Compare your result to some well known length and
> > explain why your answer necessarily means that atoms are REALLY
> > small.
> >
> > John Mallinckrodt      mailto:ajm@csupomona.edu
> > Cal Poly Pomona          http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr.               219-284-4662
Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556