atomic theory

Noun
  1. A theory of the structure of the atom (synset 106112877)
    is a type of: scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations
    subtypes:
    • bohr theory - (physics) a theory of atomic structure that combined Rutherford's model with the quantum theory; electrons orbiting a nucleus can only be in certain stationary energy states and light is emitted when electrons jump from one energy state to another
    • rutherford atom - first modern concept of atomic structure; all of the positive charge and most of the mass of the atom are contained in a compact nucleus; a number of electrons (equal to the atomic number) occupy the rest of the volume of the atom and neutralize the positive charge
    is a part of: atomic physics, nuclear physics, nucleonics - the branch of physics that studies the internal structure of atomic nuclei
  2. (chemistry) any theory in which all matter is composed of tiny discrete finite indivisible indestructible particles (synset 106112083)
    "the ancient Greek philosophers Democritus and Epicurus held atomic theories of the universe"
    referred to in: chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions
    is a type of: theory - a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
    same as: atomism, atomist theory, atomistic theory

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