I am not a specialist in physics or chemistry, which are essentially the field of science that studies the composition and behavior of matter, and its main component widely known is the Atom. I am reading a Spanish book called "RESPUESTAS SORPRENDENTES A PREGUNTAS COTIDIANAS" by Jordi Pereyra, a Spanish science communicator and mechanic engineer. The book is a systematic order of answers to questions that children usually have, for example; "Where do Helium balloons go?", and stuff like that. So, I've been reading the first chapters, and it's mostly all about Atoms, and by the definitions that I know about Biology, mostly from Wikipedia, Atoms seem to be pretty much alive, maybe even more alive than humans.
My uninformed-citizen definition of life is that matter can be distinguished from other matter that has the following qualities; growth, metabolisms, reaction to stimuli, reproduction, interaction, and self-sustaining.
So, humans does have those qualities, but I can argue that Atoms also have.
- GROWTH; An Atom can growth in volume, density, and in particles, through processes that the Atom does not choose, just has Humans. (Humans in early stages of life does not chooses to growth). The Atom can decrese and increase its volume by radiation. The Atom can radiate, or be a victim of radiation, and become a bigger and heavier atom through Alpha Particles.
- METABOLISMS; Atoms, in order to mantain a stable structure, and have a longer life, (which can be compared to the semi-voluntary process of survival in humans and animals), they usually (only in case they are unstable) radiate an Alpha particle or a Beta particle, in order to mantain its structure.
- REACTION TO STIMULI; An example of RTS; Grab a spoon of a neutron star, and then teleport that spoon with a Neutron Star material into the surface of the Earth, the Atoms (or Protons and Neutrons) will go crazy due to the stimuli of preasure.
- REPRODUCTION; By radiation, and Atom can create other Atoms in form of Alpha Particles, which are identical to Helium-4.
- INTERACTION; Atoms between each other can create molecules, which are groups of 2 or more atoms. These molecules has different characteristics from each other, for example, Dihydrogen Monoxide is one of the basis of life here on earth, but Ozone, has other characteristics, which are harmful for animals here on earth, but good to prevent solar and cosmic stuff entering the Earth. This can be compared to human social groups, even animal interpersonal groups. This due to the characteristics of the behavior of each persons that is member of an official or unofficial (unprofessional) group. That group can be good at something, but bad in another, just as molecules.
- SELF-SUSTAINING; Atoms always will try to reach stability, by radiation, and they will eventually be willing to turn into another element in order to mantain its life.
So, these qualities that make life possible, are also applied into Atoms. So that's what I was thinking when I was reading the book mentioned. What ResearchGate members, specialists or non-specialists on physics, chemestry, or biology think?
Dear Gabriel A. Alvarez N. this is a good question. To my understanding where each of element on periodic table has certain character to perform, color, mass, size, taste, freezing and boiling point, perform and transfer information beyond question ...not to mention all intelligent entity is made of few atom, like our DNA...yes atom is intelligent.
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Good point, J. Fardei. Atoms can be intelligent, but as far as I understand, they do not choose to be intelligent, cause, for example, forming a molecule of Sodium Chloride need some sort of effort and intelligence, but the Sodium and the Chorine atom unites due to electromagnetic forces, no because they choose to form a molecule of salt.
Dear Gabriel A. Alvarez N. don't forget, each atom has its own identity. Some are transferring electricity, some can create electricity, so on. But none of atom on periodic table the same, thus it is the sign of intelligent. Unfortunately science do not anything about atom, due to quantum mechanic. Everything in the universe is following its intelligence, and follow its nature.
Molecules are made of few atoms, and each molecule has certain function such as salt, carbon diopside...etc.
One of the sign of intelligence is to use energy (sunlight or photon) without friction, like us, and atom is doing the same.
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