Atoms and Their Sizes
Part of Scales of the Universe.
![Atoms and their sizes_HERO](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero/1045249-1-eng-US/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero_wideexact_2460.jpg 2460w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero/1045249-1-eng-US/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero_wideexact_1230.jpg 1230w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero/1045249-1-eng-US/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero_wideexact_800.jpg 800w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/hall-of-the-universe2/calder/hou-hero-images/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero/1045249-1-eng-US/atoms-and-their-sizes_hero_wideexact_400.jpg 400w)
Atoms range in size from a few tenths of a nanometer to several nanometers across. More than 10 million hydrogen atoms would fit across the head of a pin. Atoms are the basic constituents of molecules, cells, humans, and planets. The human body contains about a billion billion billion (10^27) atoms.
AMNH/D. Finnin
AMNH/D. Finnin
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AMNH/D. Finnin
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In This Section
Exhibit
Hydrogen Atom
If the Hayden Sphere is the size of a rhinovirus, then this model is the relative size of the hydrogen atom.
Exhibit
Water
If the Hayden Sphere is the size of a rhinovirus, then the model hanging about you are the relative size of water.
Exhibit
Ammonia
If the Hayden Sphere is the size of a rhinovirus, then the model hanging about you are the relative size of ammonia.
Exhibit
Methane
If the Hayden Sphere is the size of a rhinovirus, then the model hanging about you are the relative size of methane.