dictionary.pt

dictionary.pt

atom

nounmasculinetechnicalcommon/ˈatomu/á·to·mo

Definition

1

The smallest particle of a chemical element that retains the properties of that element, composed of a nucleus and electrons.

Usage examples

A carbon atom has six protons.
Nuclear fission splits the atom's nucleus.

Common combinations

carbon atomatomic nucleusatomic structureatom model

Idiomatic expressions

  • to split the atom (to achieve nuclear fission)