How is it possible that as atoms get more massive, they get smaller?
957728
Well that's not exactly correct: Atomic radius decreases in the same period of the periodic table as we go from left to right, so it decreases even though the mass number increases. That is because the heavier atom has more protons in nucleus that exert stronger forces to the electrons of the outer shell.\n\nBut the radius increases in the same group as we go from top to bottom, so a heavier atom has a bigger radius.
812222
The size is decreasing as you go across that list.  A rough rule of thumb is "The more positive the charge, the smaller the ion."   (The reverse is true, too...the more negative the charge, the larger the ion.)
530845
To break up an atom, you have to add a significant amount of energy to it.  You can do this by bombarding it with sub atomic particles.  In an atomic reaction, neutrons drive the process.  Particle accelerators do this in research physics.
224679
No, because you can always make something smaller. Although lengths shorter that the Planck length (1.62e-35 meters) don't make physical sense.
947881
The first two columns (the H and  Be columns) have electrons in the s sublevel. The other tall columns (B to He) have electrons in the p sublevel. The transition elements all have electrons in the d sublevel, and the inner transitions have electrons in the f sublevel. Atomic size increases from left to right because the elements all have the same number of energy levels, but the number of protons are increasing. Therefore, the pull on the electrons is stronger, and the electrons are pulled in more, making the size of the atom smaller. The atomic size increases going down a group because the number of energy levels increases going down a group. Thus the electrons on those outer levels are not as affected by the protons' positive charge.
547652
I asked my self the same question when I was 12 years old. I like to believe it. It was a nice idea; and then I imagine even bigger things (with the same concept) and smaller ones. But now I know it`s not possible (with the physics laws in our universe). For instance, you can not see nothing, since the diameter of the biggest atom is smaller than the lowest visible wave light. (that`s why we will never be able to see an atom, even with the best microscope ever)
905373
if u are referring to expansion due to heating than the order of expansion of the substances from lowest to largest is solid, liquids, than gases. But a solid's expansion is extremely low, almost impossible to measure unless its a metal.
450793
It is because the varius atoms and molecules have different sizes, shapes and weights. This means it take different amount of energy to make them vaporize.
844798
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.\n\nThe smaller object gets busted, as is your question.
784085
They have more electrons, so their diameters increase.
1033942
It appears smaller as it moves away due to optics (objects further from you appear smaller and closer ones appear bigger whether moving or not), not relativity.  Relativity comes into play when a object isn't moving in the same reference as the observer.  \n\nAs you approach the speed of light you would get thinner and more massive, but if someone is standing in your reference behind you, there would appear to be no change in size as long as the distance between the two of you doesn't change.
1117268
They do get attracted, and sometimes the nucleus manages to capture one.  That turns an electron plus a proton into a neutron.  In turn, that reduces the atomic number by one.  \n\nOf course, that could end up being unstable, so the nucleus could then split, but that step would be another question.
82591
As the solid decreases, the molecules pack together tighter.  Therefore the volume they take up becomes smaller.  The mass however remains the same.  Because density is equal to mass divided by volume, the smaller the volume, the bigger the density.
783753
The atoms increase in size as you move down the group, because each atom has an additional energy level or shell that contains the valence electron.\n\nWhen atom of group one metals form ions, they lose the valence electron, which causes them to decrease in size.\n\nThe smallest ion will be at the top of the column, since it starts out as the smallest atom,  and the largest ion will be at the bottom.
1174427
As temperature goes up particle (atoms) move faster and as they move around they "bounce" off each other. Thus they expand and get bigger. Thus gas expand when heated. Solid become liquid and liquid become gas... The opposite is true. As temperature decrease, atoms slow down and bump less. Area is decrease as each atom need less space. Not a very scientific answer and may not get the best answer reward but that is the jist of it.
37926
emilyrose gave a very thoughtful answer. \n\nReality on a small scale is quite a bit different than what we experience on our scale (the so-called "macroscopic scale"). I might make a few comments:\n\n1. Not only do the electrons in an atom have some wavelike properties, but the nucleus of an atom does as well. \n\n2. A "vacuum" is actually not really empty space, but a seething mass of virtual particles appearing and disappearing a very short time later (the Casimir effect is a strange force that is evidence for this mysterious force).
834756
it increases\nas u go down the number of electrons increases so the expellin force bw them increases  therefor they need more space it means the size is getting bigger