Getting to know the atom

Before the discovery of the mechanisms of chemical reactions, atoms' role in these reactions were unknown. Chemical reactions had been observed by centuries, even studied by experts, without understanding what happens in a chemical reaction mechanically.

Turning any metal into gold is practically impossible, we know now. It would be amazing if we could turn any element into another element in our own laboratories. We could turn the oxygen in our air into gold.

The belief that this conversion could be done, was called transmuting. It was believed lead could be transmuted into gold.

At least theoretically, you could turn an element into gold. You can do this by adding a subatomic particle that change the identity of the metal. It has been done, in really small quantities with no practical use.

The atom is made up of subatomic particles. Subatomic meaning smaller than the atom itself. It makes sense, right? There are three subatomic particles that we will study

The atomic number of an element is usually on top of the element symbol, and it indicates how many protons it has. For example, Nitrogen has 7 protons, and Oxygen has 8. If you could add one proton to a nitrogen atom, you end up with an atom of oxygen.