The Relative Sizes of Atoms

In 1803 English natural philosopher called John Dalton used the concept of atoms to explain why elements always react in ratios of exact whole numbers. He proposed that each element consisted of atoms of a single unique type and that these atoms could join together to form chemical compounds in specific ratios. In this video we look at how big an atom would be if it was as big as your fingernail which is approximately 1 centimeter across. We then move on to more modern history of atoms beginning with the discoveries that supported the existence of atoms in the 19th century.