an atom engages in an internal tug of war

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An example of metaphor and anthropomorphism in popular science writing

"Together, these contrasting electrical charges mean an atom is constantly engaged in an internal tug of war, trying to acheive balance between competing forces – much as humans do in our own heads."

Dr Camilla Pang

Camilla Pang (2020) Explaining Humans. What science can teach us about life, love and relationships. Viking

[Please be aware that a word may have different nuances, or even a different meaning, according to context.]« Back to Index