Here's why:
* Subatomic Particles: Atoms are composed of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles can be further broken down into even more fundamental particles like quarks and leptons.
* Nuclear Reactions: Atoms can be split and their components rearranged through nuclear reactions, such as nuclear fission and fusion. This demonstrates that atoms are not truly indivisible.
The historical context:
The ancient Greeks, who first proposed the idea of atoms, were limited by the tools and knowledge available to them. They couldn't see or manipulate atoms at the level we can today. The concept of "atomos" was a philosophical idea based on observations of how matter behaved.
The enduring legacy:
Even though the literal meaning of "atomos" is inaccurate, the term itself still holds significance:
* Fundamental Building Blocks: Atoms are the smallest units of an element that retain the chemical properties of that element.
* Basis of Chemistry: The concept of atoms is fundamental to understanding the composition, structure, and properties of all matter.
In summary, while the original meaning of "atomos" is outdated, the concept itself remains incredibly important in our understanding of the universe.