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[Phys-L] Re: Sizes of atoms



The average volume per atom can be calculated from the Avogadro number.
For example, consider 1 cm^3 of Al. The mass is 2.7 grams. This is 0.1
moles or 6*10^22 atoms. Thus the average volume per atom is
1/(6*10^22)=1.67*10^-23 cubic centimeters. It is reasonable to assume
that the cubic root of that number, 2.6*10-8 cm, represents the size
of an aluminum atom. But that would be wrong if atoms resembled long
sticks or strings. A distinction between what is measured and what is
assumed is important. (The average volume per molecule, such as H2O,
can be calculated in the same way.)

Ludwik Kowalski
Let the perfect not be the enemy of the good.
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