Unit 2: The Atom
Now that we have a basic understanding of matter, we will delve into the basic unit of matter: the atom. The atom (along with its protons, neutrons, and electrons) serves as the starting point for the study of chemistry. Scientists have studied atoms for hundreds of years and have developed a number of different models in order to describe them. At present, chemists use the quantum mechanical model, which has been around for decades. The "laws” of this model continue to intrigue and spark debate among scientists today. One particularly interesting theory, for example, states that it is impossible to know the exact location and velocity of an electron at the same time!
Completing this unit should take you approximately 15 hours.