And what happens in layman terms when you split it?
2006-09-02 14:04:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I guess in theory you could split a atom a number of times equal the number of its nucleons (protons and neutrons)-1.
In nuclear fission it is really only practical to split an atom once. When it fissions a typical U atom will break into 2 daughter atoms and release neutrons and gamma rays. The mass of the daughter atoms are usually 1/3 and 2/3's that of the parent. These numbers aren't exact and random probability as to what daughter nuclei are formed. Usually these daughter nuclei are neutron rich which makes them unstable and they will further decay either by beta decay or the emission of a neutron. But I would not call these decays splitting of the atom.
And NO splitting an atom will not kill you. Its not until you start splitting 10^10+ atoms that it becomes a danger.
2006-09-02 17:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by sparrowhawk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can You Split An Atom
2016-10-01 06:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a large atom splits, it changes some of its mass directly to Kinetic energy. Other forms of energy are in the form of neutrons, beta particles, etc. The formula used is E=mc^2 for the change in mass and the resulting change in energy.
Generally, mankind can only split an atom only once. The Sun uses fusion to combine atoms several times over. Hydrogen to helium, hydrogen and helium to lithium, etc.
2006-09-02 14:29:09 · answer #3 · answered by Stan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once. Because once you've done it, you now have two or more new atoms. The smaller the atom, the harder it is to split. That's the best I can do without knowing what's behind your question.
2006-09-02 15:26:31 · answer #4 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many... the exact number depends on the atom, but you can break it up into it's constituent particles and sub-particles.
An atom is just a very special semi-stable configuration of these more fundamental particles.
-T
2006-09-02 17:28:15 · answer #5 · answered by tomz17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can only split it once, because it then converts to energy.
It means you break the bonds(Strong nuclear force????) that hold all the pieces together.
2006-09-02 14:12:05 · answer #6 · answered by WheeeeWhaaaaa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are we talking actually physically spliting it (then I think everyone else answered) or are you talking about how many parts are there (neutrons, electrons, protons, quarks, etc.)? If it's the second one then I don't think we know yet because they keep finding something that's smaller.
2006-09-02 15:23:59 · answer #7 · answered by horselover1416 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally, i can never do it more than 12 times, it just gets too complicated after that, but that's just me.
2006-09-02 14:10:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once, Then you will be dead from an atomic explosion.
2006-09-02 14:06:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
fisson when it deals with nuclear reactions
2006-09-02 14:10:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋