The ego

In my recent readings of Gita I have become interested in the ego. Most people focus on the Atma. But the ego caught my attention. Everything is made of electrons, protons, and neutrons which do not have any qualities. But when they accumulate and arrange to become atoms and molecules they acquire properties (svabhava). It is easier to break a leg compared to breaking an atom. The ego has svabhava which can change under the influence of other egos. Atma (or soul) on the other hand is beyond my comprehension.