the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist 原子 ■(一般作 the atom)such particles as a source of nuclear energy 原子能;核能; the power of the atom. 原子能。 ■[usu. with negative]an extremely small amount of a thing or quality 微量 I shall not have one atom of strength left. 我一定会竭尽全力。 ■[usu. as modifier](Canadian)a level of amateur sport, typically involving children aged between nine and eleven (加拿大)原级(尤指由9-11岁儿童参加的业余运动级别) eight atom hockey teams. 八支原级曲棍球队。
用法
Atoms consist of a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus made of neutrons and protons, surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons, roughly 10-8cm in diameter. Each chemical element consists of atoms with a characteristic number of protons. Atoms are held together in molecules by the sharing of electrons
语源
late 15th cent.: from Old French atome, via Latin from Greek atomos 'indivisible', based on a- 'not' + temnein 'to cut'