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Take a countable structure with countably many independent unary predicates, every finite predicate pattern realized infinitely often, and a constant naming every element. Its complete theory has an atomic model: tuples of named elements have types isolated by equations to their names. But every infinite binary predicate pattern, together with inequalities to every named element, is consistent. There are uncountably many such one-types, so no countable omega-saturated model exists. Thus existence of a countable atomic model does not imply existence of a countable saturated one.

Add constants $c_0<c_1<\cdots$ to the theory of dense linear orders without endpoints. The three countable models have respectively a least upper bound for the named sequence, no upper bound, or upper bounds with no least one. The unbounded model is an atomic model; the bounded model with no least upper bound is an omega-saturated model. The remaining model omits the type $c_i<x<d$ over its least-upper-bound parameter $d$.

A first-order structure has finite-tuple homogeneity when any two finite tuples of the same parameter-free complete type are related by an automorphism. For countably infinite first-order structures this agrees with extension of finite partial elementary maps to automorphisms. Countable atomic models have this property by a back-and-forth method using isolating logical formulas. Uncountable atomic models can fail it.

An atomic model is a model in which every finite tuple's complete type over the empty set is isolated by a formula. An omega-saturated model realizes every complete type in finitely many variables over every finite parameter set; equivalently it realizes all one-variable types over finite parameter sets, then successive realizations give the finite-tuple version.

Suppose $M$ is countable and omega-saturated. Every type in $S_n(T)$ is realized by a tuple in $M$, so $S_n(T)$ is countable. This is a compact Hausdorff Stone space with a clopen basis. Its isolated points are dense. Indeed, if a nonempty clopen subset had no isolated point, split it into two disjoint nonempty clopen subsets and recursively split every resulting subset. Such splits exist because each subset has at least two points and the space is zero-dimensional. Compactness supplies a point in each nested sequence along an infinite binary branch, while disjoint siblings make different branches yield different points. This would give uncountably many points, contradicting countability.

For each $n$, let ${\Gamma }_n(\mathbf{x})$ consist of the negations of all formulas that isolate complete $n$-types. Density of isolated types means that every consistent formula has a consistent refinement to an isolating formula $\delta$; this refinement excludes the member $\neg \delta$ of ${\Gamma }_n$. Thus $T$ locally omits every ${\Gamma }_n$. The omitting types theorem gives a countable model $A$ omitting them all. Every tuple in $A$ therefore satisfies some isolating formula, so $A$ is atomic. If some ${\Gamma }_n$ is itself inconsistent, its omission is automatic and does not obstruct this argument.

The converse about existence is false. Here is a countable atomic model without a countable saturated model. Take a countable set $M$ with unary predicates $P_i$, $i\in \mathbb{N}$, such that every finite Boolean pattern of the predicates occurs infinitely often. For example, use finite binary words paired with a natural number, with $P_i$ recording the $i$th bit when it exists and false otherwise. Add a constant naming each element, and put $T=\mathrm{Th}(M)$ in this countable language. Every tuple of $M$ has its type isolated by equations to its named coordinates, so $M$ is a countable atomic model.

For each infinite binary sequence $\eta$, the familyis finitely satisfiable in $M$: realize its finitely many predicate requirements while avoiding finitely many named elements. By compactness theorem, it extends to a complete one-type. Different sequences give different types, so $S_1(T)$ is uncountable. Any omega-saturated model must realize all these empty-parameter types, which a countable model cannot do. This disproves the existence converse, rather than merely exhibiting an atomic model that is itself nonsaturated.

The Ehrenfeucht theory of an increasing named sequence is complete and has quantifier elimination: the usual one-point cut argument for dense linear orders without endpoints works with the finitely many constants occurring in a formula. Complete types are consequently determined by order relations to the named constants and to any additional parameters.

In the model where the sequence is unbounded above, every finite tuple lies below some $c_N$. Its order relations to $c_0,\dots ,c_N$, together with its internal equality and order pattern, determine its relations to every later constant as well. This finite condition isolates its complete type. Thus model (ii) is an atomic model. It is not omega-saturated, because the finitely satisfiable type $\{c_i<x:i\in \mathbb{N}\}$ has no realization.

In either bounded model, a point above every $c_i$ realizes the typeThis type is not isolated. Any formula belonging to it uses only finitely many constants after quantifier elimination, and its order condition can also be realized below a sufficiently late $c_j$. That realization fails one of the later inequalities in $p_{\infty }$. Hence neither bounded model is atomic.

In model (i), let $d$ be the least upper bound. The type $\{c_i<x:i\in \mathbb{N}\}\cup \{x<d\}$ over the single parameter $d$ is finitely satisfiable by density but unrealized, so this model is not omega-saturated.

In model (iii), the upper tail $U=\{x:c_i<x\text{ for all }i\}$ has no least element. Every consistent one-type over finitely many parameters is realizable. Indeed, it is either an equality type, a cut below or between some of the named constants, or a cut in $U$. The first two cases are realized by equality or by density in the relevant interval. In $U$, finitely many parameters divide the tail into finitely many intervals, each relevant nonempty interval having points by density, absence of a least element in $U$, and absence of a last element in the order. This realizes the third case too. There is no other cut among the increasing sequence: a proper initial segment of its indices is finite. Successive one-variable realizations give all finite-tuple types. ThereforeA least upper bound is thus precisely the obstruction to filling the additional finite-parameter cut in model (i).

Use the countable-language hypothesis of the omitting types theorem, which is the usual convention for this prime-model result. Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a prime model of $T$ and $a\in M$.

First, $T$ is complete up to logical consequence: every model $\mathcal{N}\models T$ receives an elementary embedding of $\mathcal{M}$, so it satisfies exactly the same sentences as $\mathcal{M}$. We may therefore replace $T$ by $\mathrm{Th}(\mathcal{M})$ without changing its model class or the prime model property.

Suppose $p={\mathrm{tp}}^{\mathcal{M}}(a/\varnothing )$ were not isolated. The omitting types theorem, applied to this single complete type, would produce $\mathcal{N}\models T$ omitting $p$. By primality choose an elementary embedding $j:\mathcal{M}\to \mathcal{N}$. For every $\phi (x)\in p$,Then $j(a)$ realizes $p$, contradicting omission. ConsequentlyThe same proof applies to every finite tuple, giving an atomic model. Countability of the language is a hypothesis of this argument, not a restriction on parameter sets in the separate parts (a) and (d). The PDF does not state that standing hypothesis explicitly; it must be included when invoking this version of the theorem.

An atomic model of $T$ is a model $M\models T$ such that the complete type $\mathrm{tp}(\bar{a}/\varnothing )$ of every finite tuple $\bar{a}\in M$ is an isolated type.

An atomic model is a model in which the type over the empty set of every finite tuple is isolated. Let $\bar{a}\mapsto \bar{b}$ be partial elementary and take $c\in M$. Choose a formula $\theta (\bar{x},y)$ isolating $\mathrm{tp}(\bar{a},c)$. Since $M\models \exists y\theta (\bar{a},y)$, elementarity gives $N\models \exists y\theta (\bar{b},y)$. Any witness $d$ realizes the isolated joint type, so $\bar{a},c\mapsto \bar{b},d$ is partial elementary. This is the one-point extension between atomic models.

Alternately applying this extension property in the two directions to enumerations of countable atomic models constructs a back-and-forth isomorphism.

Assume $M$ is a prime model. By the downward Lowenheim-Skolem theorem, $T$ has a countable model, and the elementary embedding of $M$ into it makes $M$ countable. If a tuple $\bar{a}\in M$ had a nonisolated type, the omitting types theorem would give a countable model of $T$ omitting that type. An elementary embedding of $M$ into this model would realize it, a contradiction. Thus $M$ is atomic.

Conversely, let $M$ be countable and atomic, enumerate it as $(a_i{)}_{i<\omega }$, and let $N\models T$. Construct an elementary embedding recursively. Suppose $a_0,\dots ,a_{n-1}$ have been mapped to $\bar{b}$. Let $\psi (\bar{x})$ isolate the type of $(a_0,\dots ,a_{n-1})$ and let $\theta (\bar{x},y)$ isolate the type of $(a_0,\dots ,a_n)$. Since the latter extends the former and is realized in $M$, completeness givesThe tuple $\bar{b}$ realizes $\psi$, so a suitable image of $a_n$ exists in $N$. The union of the finite partial elementary maps is an elementary embedding $M\to N$. Hence $M$ is prime.

A model is prime if it has an elementary embedding into every model of $T$. A model is atomic if every finite tuple realizes an isolated complete type over the empty set.

If $A$ is prime, the downward Löwenheim-Skolem theorem gives a countable model $M$ of $T$, and an elementary embedding $A\to M$ makes $A$ countable. If a tuple of $A$ realized a nonisolated type, the omitting types theorem would give a model of $T$ omitting that type. The prime embedding into it would preserve the tuple's full type and realize the omitted type, a contradiction. Thus a prime model is countable and atomic.

Conversely enumerate a countable atomic model as $a_0,a_1,\dots$, and take any $B\models T$. Build finite partial elementary maps into $B$. Suppose the current tuple $\bar{a}$ maps to $\bar{b}$. Choose a formula $\theta (\bar{x},y)$ isolating the type of $(\bar{a},a_n)$. The assertion $\exists y\theta (\bar{a},y)$ holds in $A$, so its counterpart holds at $\bar{b}$ in $B$ by partial elementarity. Choose a witness $b_n$. Since $\theta$ isolates the entire extended tuple type, the extended map is elementary on its finite domain; its equality formulas ensure distinct Elements remain distinct. The union is a total elementary embedding $A\to B$. The empty initial tuple works because $T$ is complete. Hence

Yes: $Q^{+}$ is prime. In any model of its complete diagram, map each rational to the interpretation of its named constant. The diagram ensures this is an embedding, and quantifier elimination for dense linear orders without endpoints makes it elementary. Alternatively every finite tuple of $Q^{+}$ has its complete type isolated by the conjunction equating its coordinates to their named rational constants. Thus it is a countable atomic model, and the earlier prime-model equivalence applies. A prime model may omit many types; primeness is not saturation.

An atomic model is a model in which every finite tuple realizes an isolated complete type over the empty set. For a complete theory in a countable language, every countable atomic model is prime. The underlying argument is a back-and-forth method in the one-sided form needed for an embedding: enumerate the atomic model, and extend a finite partial elementary map one element at a time using an isolating formula for the enlarged tuple. The target model has the required witness because the already matched tuple has the same complete type.

Thus property (iii) implies property (iv). It need not imply pointwise definability or term-generation. The countable dense linear order without endpoints with a single named point, for example $(\mathbb{Q},<,0)$, is atomic: quantifier elimination for dense linear orders without endpoints isolates a tuple by its finite order-and-equality pattern relative to zero. But order structure automorphisms fixing zero move every nonzero rational. Such elements are not parameter-free definable, and no closed term names them. This supplies the failed implications (iii)$\nRightarrow$(ii) and (iii)$\nRightarrow$(i).

Between about 1880 and 1920 a recognizable investigation of subatomic entities emerged from work on electrical discharge, radiation and atomic model. Calling it particle is retrospective: it was not yet the later high-energy specialization with accelerators, and boundaries with atomic physics, nuclear physics and chemistry remained fluid. Its formation nevertheless had both scientific and institutional causes.

Better vacuum pumps, discharge tubes, high voltages, photographic plates and sensitive electrical instruments made new phenomena experimentally reproducible. Cathode rays could be deflected by electric and magnetic fields, letting investigators compare their charge-to-mass ratio under different conditions. In 1897 Joseph John Thomson argued that their carriers were common constituents of matter with far smaller mass than an atom. This made a divisible atom an experimental research problem rather than simply a speculative possibility.^[ref]

Wilhelm Röntgen's X-rays, Henri Becquerel's spontaneous uranium radiation and the work of Marie Curie and Pierre Curie on strongly radioactive substances revealed additional emissions and transformations. Their classification by penetration, charge and deflection separated physically different entities. Radioactive decay introduced characteristic lifetimes and suggested that atoms could change identity. Chemical separation and quantitative electrical measurements were therefore as important as a purely mechanical picture of particles.^[ref]

Rutherford scattering made the atom's internal structure accessible to an incisive quantitative probe. Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden measured rare large deflections, and Ernest Rutherford's 1911 analysis connected them to a concentrated nuclear charge rather than a diffuse one. The experimental task involved a collimated source, thin target foils and detection of individual scintillations at different angles; changing thickness and angle tested explanations of single versus multiple scattering. This style of inferring invisible structure from statistical distributions became characteristic of the developing field.^[ref]

Specialization also depended on laboratories capable of maintaining apparatus, obtaining rare sources, training assistants and students, and circulating standardized measurements. Research schools sustained linked problems across many experiments; new journals, meetings and prizes gave their practitioners a recognizable identity. Industry supplied pumps and electrical equipment, while medical interest in radiation supplied additional demand and resources. These conditions help explain why the specialization consolidated in that period rather than emerging automatically from one discovery.

The date range should not imply completion. By 1920 the electron, nuclear electric charge, radioactivity and early nuclear transformations had established a new scale of questions, but the neutron, mature quantum mechanics and accelerator-based high-energy research still lay ahead. The emerging specialty was the joint product of experimentally identifiable new objects, a distinctive toolkit and institutions able to make their investigation a continuing career.

Every element of a pointwise definable model is uniquely specified by a formula with no added parameters. Finite tuples are then uniquely specified by conjunctions of their defining formulas. For a complete theory these formulas isolate the tuple types, so such a model is an atomic model. The converse fails: a countable dense linear order without endpoints with a named point is atomic, while its other points are moved by structure automorphisms fixing that point.