What is the smallest particle ever detected by scientists?

[Trevormbarker]

Smallest 'thing" detected yet

I wasnt too sure where to post this but I settled on quantum physics.
I was wondering what the smallest particle or "thing" any human has ever seen with the aid of a microscope or any kind of magnifying tool.

 

[micromass]

We have seen atoms under the microscope. I don't think we can go much smaller than that...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_PjMeukmzg

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

According to this site, an eletron has been detected. I'm not sure that it fits what you are looking for.

http://blogearth.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/electron-filmed-for-the-first-time/"

 

[Astronuc]

We have seen atoms under the microscope. I don't think we can go much smaller than that...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_PjMeukmzg

Yeah - that's pretty much it. Atomic force microprobes have probed atoms on the surface of solids.

http://www.parkafm.com/?gclid=COmN5prhoqoCFULc4Aodtx8hWA

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-33986.0.00&cc=US&lc=eng

Disclaimer: No endorsement expressed or implied.

http://www.mrsec.org/facilities/atomic-force-microscopescanning-tunneling-microscope

 

[Newai]

What are we looking at in that video? Are those the electron shells?

 

[diazona]

According to this site, an eletron has been detected. I'm not sure that it fits what you are looking for.

http://blogearth.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/electron-filmed-for-the-first-time/"

Apparently electrons listen to new-age music Although I am slightly curious for more details as well.

 

[Trevormbarker]

thanks for all the replies!

 

[DR13]

Yeah - that's pretty much it. Atomic force microprobes have probed atoms on the surface of solids.

Are you sure that its AFM? I would have guessed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_electron_microscopy" .

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Is it this?

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[Andy]

Phew, i thought my ex girlfriend had found this site.

 

[KrisOhn]

Phew, i thought my ex girlfriend had found this site.

 

[Disconnected]

Phew, i thought my ex girlfriend had found this site.

HAH!

Smallest thing seen with the naked eye or "effects of" seen with the naked eye? Because you can quite clearly see the trail left by an electron traveling through a cloud chamber with your naked eye.

 

[fluidistic]

Those videos impressed me. I had seen photos of atoms but no video. Nice.

 

[Danger]

Phew, i thought my ex girlfriend had found this site.

Are you after my badge, you old bugger? I was all set to post something similar, and you beat me to it.

 

[Constantinos]

We have seen atoms under the microscope. I don't think we can go much smaller than that...

That's an interesting video, especially towards the end! Are the atoms there shown to move, or is this some kind of microscope artifact? If they can be shown to move, is there any video of chemical reactions in the atomic level?

 

[Andy]

Are you after my badge, you old bugger? I was all set to post something similar, and you beat me to it.

Old? HA! any idea how old i am? Just because i have been loitering around the site for the past decade doesn't make me old.

Oh and to quote a famous film, "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

 

[Ryan_m_b]

I'm kind of confused by this question, surely the smallest "thing" ever detected are the sub-atomic particles created in particle colliders?

 

[wuliheron]

I'm kind of confused by this question, surely the smallest "thing" ever detected are the sub-atomic particles created in particle colliders?

Is there such a thing as a "point particle"? Are neutrinos the smallest thing ever detected? Past a certain point it is as much a philosophical debate as a scientific one.

 

[Danger]

Old? HA! any idea how old i am?

Well... uh... going by your writing style, I figure about 114. I'm sorry if I underestimated...

and to quote a famous film, "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!"

Ahhhh... a connoisseur of the classics...

 

[Andy]

25. Gotta love abit of mel.