The Scales of the Universe: A Journey Through the Infinitesimal to the Infinite
The Scales of the Universe: A Journey Through the Infinitesimal to the Infinite The universe, in all its complexity, spans an unimaginable range of scales, from the atomic and subatomic particles that constitute the fabric of matter, through the familiar dimensions of human experience, to the vast expanses of cosmic structures that stretch across billions of light-years. This essay embarks on a journey to explore these scales, highlighting the intriguing aspects of each level and how they interconnect to form the grand tapestry of existence. The Atomic and Subatomic Scale: The Building Blocks At the most fundamental level, the universe is composed of atoms, which are themselves made up of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around it, akin to planets around a star. Delving deeper, these particles are composed of quarks and leptons, among the most elementary particles known, governed by the pr...