Question about atoms?

Question

Im sure this is a stupid question, but is an atom indivisible? I thought that it could be split, thus causing an atom bomb, but I really am not sure...Thank you

Answer 1

First of all, atoms are divisible. It is trivial to break electrons from atoms and make ions. Simply rub your shoes on carpet or watch the wind make lightning.

But I think you mean the nucleus of the atom. Then it depends on who you ask.

To a chemist, the nucleus is indivisible. There is no substance or solution that will break apart an nucleus. You can chemically break H2O into H2 and O2 but you can't break up chemically break an nucleus.

To a physicist, the nucleus is divisible. It is possible to put enough energy into a nucleus to break it apart and make it become a smaller element, this is called fission. Or conversely, combine it with something to make a heavier element, this is called fusion.

Answer 2

The word atom is a Greek words which means" a substance that cannot be Cut" It was a misnomer given the the various mass structures out lined in the Period table of element, The atomic structures are basically stable and the structure of each kind remains with its own identity and properties. A combination of these structure can combine to for other mass structures called compounds. Thus element by themselve are not easely changed and split. But the atomic structure can be separated ;hence ,it can be divided.

It was Democritus of Ancient Greece that postulated that there must exist a Substance in the Universe that is a basic structure to all structures in the Universe which is a granular structure making up a volume in the Universe that was called in those days "the Aether".
Nevertheless it was Democritus that gave the Idea of the Atom to modern science.
The structure of that atom as we know it to day was not quite understood till the discovery of the Neutron by CJ Chadwick in 1932. Less than 100 yeas ago. Quite a short time considering the lenght of man's existance on Earth.
To day that Substance is called the"Dark Matter" of space.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean by "known about the atom". The idea of an atom has been theorized for millennium. The first recorded person to ever mention the idea of an atom was a Greek by the name of Democratus. He was actually the one who coined the word atom. Atom itself means indivisible and he thought that atoms where the smallest, most fundamental things there were. However, it wasn't until many centuries later than scientists started seriously considering the notion of atoms and even longer before they had experimental proof that such things existed. In the time of Newton, they thought that the world was composed of little particles (and of course it is). It took until about the 1800s before people really accepted and could show that atoms existed.

Answer 4

Yes..atoms can be split. With nuclear weapons we can increase the random motion of atoms by so much (via high explosives) that neutrons actually will slam in to the atomic nucleus's of uranium atoms with such force that they will overcome the strong nuclear force that holds atoms together....releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the process. Atomic nucleus's can actually be bonded together (ex. stars, nuclear reactors, ect.) in a process called fusion. When this happens heavier elements are created. The sun right now uses four hydrogen nuclei to make just one helium atom. The excess subatomic particles are released as alpha particles, neutrinos, and gamma radiation. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

It depends on what you mean by divisible. You have several options:
- Remove some electrons: the atom becomes an ion
- Break the nucleus in protons and neutrons: doesn't work with all atoms (e.g. an hydrogen with no neutron cannot be divided this way)
- Break the protons and neutrons into quarks: always possible but requires fantastic amouts of energy

Answer 6

Yes atoms can be split but it is not an easy process.

Answer 7

Yes it can be split. and fused back together.