Q & A: Sizes of atoms and nuclei

What is the size not mass, of a silicon atoms nucleus compared to it’s total size? Thanks
- Derek
Colby WI USA

Rutherford first measured the sizes of nuclei by scattering alpha particles from a gold foil. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutherford_scattering for an explanation. The size of a silicon nucleus is of the order of 0.117 nanometers. http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Si/radii.html

The sizes of atoms were first estimated with the use of Avogadro's number along with the atomic mass and bulk density of a solid material. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/particles/atomsiz.html
The number for silicon is about 100 picometers: see http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Si/radii.html

LeeH

(published on 10/22/2007)

Physics Van 3-site Navigational Menu