Question

True or False: The diameter of most atoms will be between 0.05 nm and 0.3 nm. I think its false (I don't think there even is an average diameter for atoms...), but I can't find any reliable sources to back up my hunch. Help please...

Answer 1

This article quote 32 to 225 pm for the radius. Double that for the diameter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom#Shape_and_size

Answer 2

Not to mention the conversions! But thanks a million. :) I got a range of an average of 0.064 nm to 0.45 nm.
Considering concept wise though, do the units of nm make sense for an atoms diameter? That's not visible right?

Answer 3

Here is a quote that the naked eye can distinguish about 30 micrometers in two objects. That is 30E-6 m or 30,000E-9 m = 30,000 nm with the added notation that many people can see better than that; e.g., up to 1/2 as small but that is far more than 0.064 nm to 0.225 nm
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071023094744AAXbxh9

Answer 4

Thanks so much! That makes alot more sense now. The figures really helped out.