The Atom at the Heart of Physics

Abstract

A number of reasons are advanced for which atoms stand at the heart of research in the physical sciences. There are issues in physics which are both fundamental and only partly resolved or, at least, imperfectly understood. Rather than chase them towards higher and higher energies, which mainly results in greater complexity, it makes sense to restrict oneself to the simplest systems known, held together by the best understood force in nature, viz. those governed by the inverse square law. Our line of argument complements the adage of Richard Feynman, who asked: should Armageddon occur, is there a simple, most important idea to preserve as a testament to human knowledge? The answer he suggested is: the atomic hypothesis.