Editing Atomic physics (section)

{{Short description|Field of physics that studies the atom}}
{{For|the classical view of the atom which developed into atomic physics|atomic theory}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Modern physics}}
'''Atomic physics''' is the field of [[physics]] that studies [[atom]]s as an isolated system of [[electron]]s and an [[atomic nucleus]]. Atomic physics typically refers to the study of atomic structure and the interaction between atoms.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Demtröder|first=W.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/262692011|title=Atoms, molecules and photons : an introduction to atomic-, molecular-, and quantum-physics|date=2006|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-3-540-32346-4|location=Berlin|oclc=262692011}}</ref> It is primarily concerned with [[Electron configuration|the way in which electrons are arranged around the nucleus]] and
the processes by which these arrangements change. This comprises [[ion]]s, neutral atoms and, unless otherwise stated, it can be assumed that the term ''atom'' includes ions.

The term ''atomic physics'' can be associated with [[nuclear power]] and [[nuclear weapon]]s, due to the [[synonym]]ous use of ''atomic'' and ''nuclear'' in [[standard English]]. Physicists distinguish between atomic physics—which deals with the atom as a system consisting of a nucleus and electrons—and [[nuclear physics]], which studies [[nuclear reaction]]s and special properties of atomic nuclei.

As with many scientific fields, strict delineation can be highly contrived and atomic physics is often considered in the wider context of [[atomic, molecular, and optical physics]]. Physics research groups are usually so classified.