Do you know how big molecules really are and what they look like?About it
Molecules are a group of atomsthat are tied together. Almost everything around us consists of molecules: skin, stool, and much more. All molecules are different sizes, but they are very small. To make it clearer: they are 100 thousand times smaller than the width of the hair.
The smallest molecule contains two atoms stuck together, while the largest can consist of more than 100 thousand atoms. Moreover, each molecule – unique.
The particles of matter that make up an atommay have a positive charge, a negative charge, or no charge at all. These substances are called protons, electrons and neutrons, respectively. Neutrons and protons are in the center of an atom, and electrons surround them.
In order to see molecules, scientistsuse special tools. One of them – X-rays. When they are pointed at molecules, some of those molecules are reflected. Similarly, for example, in 1912 it was possible to see for the first time what a salt molecule looks like – NaCl.
Another way – This is nuclear magnetic resonance. Using this method, you can detect changes that occur in the center of an atom and understand which atoms are nearby.
There is also an atomic force microscope. It allows you to see the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
The method of cryoelectron microscopy isnext. Scientists first freeze molecules (and at a temperature that is even lower than the temperature of ice or snow), and then “shoot” electrons at these molecules and create an image based on this.