now do we know atoms actually exist
In the early years of the twentieth century, atoms were still theoretical entities. Strong circumstantial evidence suggested that atoms existed, but no one had ever actually seen an atom. Today, we can not only see individual atoms on surfaces-we can also move them from place to place, and build things from them.s the tip is dragged over an atom on the surface, more electrons tunnel and the needle is rigged so that the increase in current causes the tip to move up. As the tip is dragged off the atom, the distance between the tip and the surface widens, causing a decrease in current which moves the tip down.