everything that has ever lived has consisted of atoms,so they still must be around huh?

Question

...since atoms,left to their own devices,are indestructable,that dinosaur/plant/insect that lived millions of years ago must still be around in atom form!

..............or do i have too much time on my hands :o)

Jesus and Julius Caesar....how exciting!!....not so sure about napoleon though.

Answer 1

They are essentially still around -- "ashes to ashes, dust to dust".

The total sum of the energy and mass in the universe is constant -- some matter become energy and some energy becomes matter, but the total is the same.

Atoms combine into different compounds, so their form changes. For example, two hydrogen atoms combine with an oxygen to form water, but the atoms are still there.

Answer 2

You have raised a very interesting issue. This is a field where we need to wait the discoveries from CERN, the particle accelerator.Meanwhile the question can only be tested with a few metaphysical thinking. It is totally wrong to suppose that matter is completely destroyed. There seems to be a process of constant change in nature. Matter in its multifarious forms keep changing from one form to another, responding to the needs of evolutionary function, and in this process new matter is constantly regenerated and freshly created. If that is not the case, there will be no way to explain the beginnings of life- and inevitably the emergence of mind.If all matter including its manifestations in the form of atomic and sub-atomic modes do not undergo change, it would have become totally inert-which means the certain end of life. So it seems true that atoms do continue to exist in spite of physical transformation. It is well-known that continuous fusion takes place in areas wherefrom {the inside of mighty star systems ]new matter is always created, giving birth to the phenomenon of active physical re-incarnation. Many thanks for making your respondents think. Congratulations.

Answer 3

NO!
You need to read some particle physics to understand the exchange between energy and matter.

As an everyday example, radioactive material decays over time at a rate called it's half life.

True, some of the atoms will essentially still be around, but not everything.

Answer 4

Over the course of your lifetime, you probably breathed in a molecule of N2, CO2 or O2 that was breathed out by Jesus, Napoleon, or Julius Caesar, if that makes you feel special.

And you probably have dino atoms in you too.

Answer 5

well it really depends on how you look at it.
essentially yes, the subatomic particles that made up those animals are still around. however, the atoms could have significantly changed form-for example, the carbon and hydrogen that was once in a lot of animals & plants has come apart under intense pressure, polymerised and become oils and gases!

also, the particles could lose or gain electrons become ions (in solutions or as salts), they could have been burnt off and formed gases (the very ones you breath, perhaps...)

so to answer your question, yes. i suppose

:)

Answer 6

Yes, they are around and the Caesar example is the best. You also breath some molecules associated with Hitler, Stalin, Hulk Hogan, and Ghengis Khan. I prefer to think of Rachel Welch, Babe Ruth, Robert E. Lee, and Abe Lincoln. Here is a good reference for the calculation.

Answer 7

You can only make that claim while things remain stable. After mater(dino..) breaks down your left with the basic material, common to everthing.

Kinda like a cloud: after the the rain you don't have cloud stuff all around, but you do have water (hydrogen,oxygen).

Answer 8

atoms are not indestructible??
ever hear of a nuclear fission? atomic bombs?

what about light and radiation?

read Stephen Hawking's 'A Brief History of Time', and probably also, any book on basic physics.

Answer 9

You are right, you probably contain an atom or so that was created in the big boom.

Answer 10

Of course. Apart from those that made up craft that have been sent into space.