Abstract

A new atomic model is described which builds atoms out of alternating protons and electrons. Unlike the currently accepted planetary atomic model developed by Bohr and Rutherford, the nucleus is not a compact sphere of protons and neutrons which are surrounded by a cloud of electrons. Rather, the atoms are built up like Lego bricks into octahedral shapes. These shapes give rise to locations on the atoms for other atoms to dock and form molecules. These shapes also explain many of the observed properties of the atoms such as the observed ionization energies, spectra, fission fragments and the allowed isotopes for an atom. This model eliminates the need for the strong force and significantly simplifies our understanding of how atoms are constructed using only the electrostatic force.