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The quantum atom

This Nature special issue explores the origin and legacy of Niels Bohr's radical view of the nuclear atom, published one hundred years ago. Historian John Heilbron relates how recently released letters between Bohr and his brother and fiancée chart his breakthrough. The kaleidoscopic nature of the electron is illuminated by physicist Frank Wilczek. A news feature explores extreme atoms, including super-heavy and anti-matter forms, and a News and Views forum discusses the limits of atomic and nuclear size.

Image credit: Thomas Porostocky

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News & Views

  • Theoretical physics: Sizing up atoms

    Niels Bohr's model of the structure of the atom raised the question of how large an atom can be. One hundred years on, the issue is still unresolved. Two physicists discuss the theoretical limits of atomic and nuclear size.

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