: To answer the question, though; yes, those are atoms; or the nearest we can get to actual physical proof of them. : We can't ultimately prove that they exist in much the same way that you can't ultimately prove your neighbour's car exists; there is evidence to support the theory; and we can do experiments that would show us if they didn't exist.
: Such experiments have not shown us that they don't exist, so we go with the theory until a better one comes along.
So, the question is, are atoms real? Or are atoms inventions of men which fit the model predicted by using particular instruments?
Obviously, something appears to be there which we call atoms, but how do we know that we are really seeing atoms?
