Questions 1. What type of scientists study the tiny particles that make up atoms? 2. What three world records does the Large Hadron Collider hold? 3. What particle do scientists think holds the mass of the atom? 4. Which sub-atomic particles are smashed together in the Large Hadron Collider? 5. What speed do protons need to be almost travelling at in order to be smashed up when they collide with each other?
6. Why are scientists so interested in studying the reactions and properties of such tiny particles?
Nature of Science
Scientists’ understanding of the structure of the atom is constantly developing as new discoveries are made and new technologies allow more detailed models to be created. Originally scientists simply knew that atoms were tiny but they had no idea what they were made from or how they could combine with each other. Through the contribution of many scientists working over many years in different parts of the world, we now have a very good idea of the structure of the atom. This has been discovered by experiments and mathematical modelling. The work being carried out by organisations such as CERN is pushing the boundaries of science as scientists try to find out about ever tinier particles. This research helps us to understand more about the particles that we, and everything in the universe around us, are made from. Questions 1. Why do you think scientific understanding develops over time? 2. Are models a good way to understand scientific concepts? Why? 3. Scientific discoveries are being made every day. Why do you think some become ‘big news’ while others are not mentioned?
