The Other Aspect of
the Atoms: Electrons
Electrons are particles
spinning and revolving around the nucleus of
the atom similar to the earth rotating on its
own axis as it also revolves around the sun.
This rotation, like that of the planets, is
realised ceaselessly and in perfect order on
paths we call orbits. Yet, the proportion of
the size of the earth and the sun is very different
from the atomic scale. To make a comparison
between the size of electrons and the size of
the earth, if we enlarge an atom as big as the
earth, the electron would be in the size of
an apple.
Tens of electrons revolving
in an area so small as to be invisible even
to the most powerful microscopes create a very
complex traffic inside the atom. The most remarkable
point here is that these electrons surrounding
the nucleus like an armour of electrical charge
do not have even a small accident. In fact,
any small accident inside the atom would cause
a disaster for the atom. However, such an accident
never takes place. The whole operation runs
flawlessly. The electrons revolving around the
nucleus at the mind-boggling speed of 1,000
km/second never collide with each other. It
is extremely amazing that these electrons, which
are no different from each other, follow separate
orbits, and it is obviously the result of a
"conscious creation". If they had
different masses and velocities, it might be
natural for them to settle in different orbits
around the nucleus. For instance, the order
of the planets in our solar system follows this
logic. Planets that have totally different masses
and velocities are naturally settled in different
orbits around the sun. But the case with the
electrons in the atom is totally different from
that of these planets. The electrons are exactly
alike but have different orbits around the nucleus:
how do they follow these paths unerringly, how
do they not collide though they have incredibly
small dimensions and move at incredible speeds?
These questions lead us to a single point: the
only truth we face in this unique order and
delicate equilibrium is the perfect creation
of Allah.
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In the diagram
to left, you see four different types of
orbits made by electrons, depending on the
wave motion. Electrons follow orbits in
much the same way as the planets move around
the sun depending on the properties of their
particles. These different motions of the
electrons prevent their precise definition. |
Electrons are small particles,
almost two thousandth the size of neutrons and
protons. An atom has the same number of electrons
as protons and each electron bears a negative
(-) charge equal to the positive (+) charge
borne by each proton. The total positive (+)
charge in the nucleus and the total negative
(-) charge of the electrons cancel each other
and the atom becomes neutral.
The electric charge they
carry obliges electrons to obey certain laws
of physics. One of these laws of physics is
that "same electrical charges repel each
other and opposite charges attract each other".
First, under normal circumstances,
the electrons, all negatively charged, would
be expected to repel each other by obeying this
rule and shoot away from the nucleus. Yet, this
does not happen. If the electrons were scattered
from the nucleus, then the universe would consist
of idle protons, neutrons and electrons wandering
in the void. Second, the positively charged
nucleus would be expected to attract the negative
charged electrons and the electrons would stick
to the nucleus. In that case, the nucleus would
attract all the electrons and the atom would
implode.
However, none of these
things occur. The abovementioned extraordinary
escape velocities of the electrons (1,000 km/sec),
the repelling force they exert on each other
and the force of attraction the nucleus exerts
on the electrons are based on such precise values
that these three contradicting factors perfectly
balance each other. As a result, this outstanding
system inside the atom runs without falling
apart. Even if a single one of these forces
impinging on the atom were a little bit more
or less than it has to be, the atom would never
exist.
In addition to these factors, if the nuclear
forces binding protons and neutrons in the nucleus
to each other did not exist, protons having
equal charges could not even come close to each
other, much less bond together in a nucleus.
In the same manner, the neutrons would never
be able to stick to the nucleus. As a result,
there would be no nucleus and therefore, no
atom.
All these fine calculations
are indications that even a single atom is not
idle but acts under the perfect control of Allah.
Otherwise, it would be inevitable that the universe
we live in would end before it started. This
process would backfire at the outset and the
universe would not form. However, Allah, the
Creator of everything, the Omnipotent and the
Almighty, established extremely precise equilibriums
inside the atom just as He established all the
balances in the universe, thanks to which the
atom continues to exist in perfect order.
Scientists have spent their best efforts over
the years to unravel the secret of this balance
established by Allah, and have ended up with
merely appointing certain names to observed
phenomena such as "the electromagnetic
force", "the strong nuclear force",
"the weak nuclear force", and "the
mass attraction force"… Yet, as mentioned
in the introductory part of the book, no one
has given a thought to the question "Why?"
Why do these forces act at certain intensities
under certain rules? Why do the domains that
are governed by these forces, the rules they
obey, and the intensity of these forces have
such great harmony?
Scientists were desperate
in the face of all these questions because all
they can do is guess at the order in which the
events take place. Their research, however,
gave rise to an indisputable reality. Every
point in the universe reveals the intervention
of an Owner of intellect and will Who does not
leave even a single atom idle. There is a single
power that holds all forces together in harmony,
and that is Allah, Who holds all the power and
might. Allah manifests His might wherever He
wills whenever He wills. The entire universe
from the smallest atom to the endless galaxies
is able to continue its existence only by Allah's
will and preservation.
In
the alternation of night and day and what
Allah has created in the heavens and
the earth there are Signs for people who
fear Him.
(Surah Yunus: 6)
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In the Qur'an, Allah
states that there is no power but Him and He
announces the punishment of those who, unaware
of this, assume that the powerless beings (animate
or inanimate) He created have power and strength
independently of Him, and attribute divine characteristics
to them.
Oh, that those
who do evil had but known, (on the day) when
they see the punishment, that power belongs
wholly to Allah, and that Allah is severe in
punishment! (Surat al-Baqara: 165)
So far no scientist has yet been able to explain
the cause and source of the forces in the atom
and therefore in the universe, and why certain
forces come into play on certain occasions.
What science does is only to make observations,
take measurements and designate "names"
for them.
Such "namings"
are regarded as great discoveries in the world
of science. In fact, what scientists do is not
an attempt to form a new equilibrium in the
universe or build a new system but just an effort
to comprehend and unravel the secret of the
evident equilibrium in the cosmos. What they
mostly do is simply observe one of the countless
wonders of Allah's creation in the universe
and assigning a name to it. Scientists detecting
a superior system or structure created by Allah
are awarded various scientific prizes, honoured
and admired by other people. In this case, the
one who really should be honoured is, without
doubt, Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
Who brought that system into being when it was
not, furnished it with exceedingly delicate
balances, and endlessly creates extraordinary
miracles the like of them.
In the alternation
of night and day and what Allah has created
in the heavens and the earth there are Signs
for people who fear Him. (Surah Yunus: 6)
Orbits of Electrons
Tens of electrons, which spin
and orbit in an area unobservable even by the
most powerful microscopes, create an extremely
complex traffic inside the atom as we mentioned
earlier. This traffic, however, is so orderly
as to be incomparably more orderly than the
most systematic city traffic. Electrons never
collide with each other, because each electron
has a separate orbit and these orbits never
coincide.
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Electrons follow
an extremely complex orbit within
the atom. Although a much more crowded
environment than city traffic is formed
in such a small place, not even one
accident takes place.
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There are 7 electron shells
around the nucleus of the atom. The numbers
of electrons in these seven electron shells
that never change have been specified by a mathematical
formula: 2n2. The maximum numbers of electrons
that can be present in each electron shell around
the atom have been fixed by this formula. (The
letter n in the formula shows the electron shell
number). That the endless number of electron
shells of atoms making up the universe precisely
stick to the same number by obeying the 2n2
formula indicates order. That no chaos occurs
inside the atom although the electrons move
about at incredible speeds is a further indication
of this unique order. This is an order that
can by no means be attributed to coincidence.
The only explanation for the existence of this
order is that Allah created everything as a
manifestation of His power in an order and harmony
as told in the Qur'an. Allah refers to this
order He created in the verses of the Qur'an:
