Atomic physics

Atomic physics is the field of physics studying atoms as an isolated system of electrons and an atomic nucleus. It is primarily concerned with the arrangement of electrons within the atom and the processes by which it changes. This includes ions as well as neutral atoms.^[source?]

The term atomic physics is often associated with nuclear power and nuclear bombs, due to the synonymous use of atomic and nuclear in standard English. However, physicists distinguish between atomic physics, which deals with the atom as a system consisting of a nucleus and electrons, and nuclear physics, deeming atomic nuclei alone.^[source?]

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.^{[clarification needed][source?]}