Heating Gases: Can We Make Protons Fly?

In summary, heating a gas can cause electrons to be knocked off atoms or molecules through atomic collisions, but it cannot cause protons to be removed from the nucleus. To remove protons from the nucleus, nuclear reactions involving nucleons, electrons, and even high energy photons are needed. At high enough temperatures, nuclei can start to break apart, but this is a process rather than a state of matter.
  • #1
harp AP 2010
30
0
If we can heat a gas so that the electrons "fly" off, can we heat one so that the protons do?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
When you say fly off, what do you mean? In any case a plasma consists of ionized particles and free electrons. If you mean by fly off, can you get a proton out of a nucleus this way - the answer is no, since it takes a lot more energy than simply heating.
 
  • #3
Electrons surround the nucleus and can be removed by visible light (several eV) or higher energy photons (10 eV to kev), such as UV, X-ray (keV) or gamma ray(high keV to MeV). If one heats a gas hot enough, then the atomic collisions can cause electrons to be knock off atoms or molecules. The degree of ionization will depend on the density and temperature of the gas/plasma.

A particle kinetic energy of 1 eV corresponds to a temperature of ~11605 K, so 1 keV ~ 11.6 million K, and 1 MeV ~ 11.6 billion K.

Removing nucleons, i.e., protons and electrons, from the nucleus of an atom normally requires nuclear reactions involving nucleons, electrons, and even photons in the MeV range.
 
  • #4
harp AP 2010 said:
If we can heat a gas so that the electrons "fly" off, can we heat one so that the protons do?

Atomic nuclei are made of protons and neutrons, they aren't something that protons and neutrons are attached to. That said, if you get things hot enough, nuclei will start to break apart. This is a process, though, not a state of matter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photodisintegration
 

1. How does heating gases affect their ability to make protons fly?

When gases are heated, their molecules begin to move faster and collide more frequently. This increased movement and collisions can result in the formation of free protons, which can then be accelerated to fly through the gas.

2. What is the process of heating gases to make protons fly?

The process of heating gases to make protons fly is known as plasma heating. This involves applying a high amount of energy, such as through electric current or intense radiation, to the gas to increase its temperature.

3. What are the potential applications of making protons fly through heated gases?

There are several potential applications of this process, including in the development of plasma-based propulsion systems for spacecraft, in fusion energy research, and in the creation of new materials through plasma processing.

4. Can any gas be used for heating to make protons fly?

While most gases can be heated to some extent, not all of them are suitable for the specific conditions required to make protons fly. Generally, gases with low ionization potentials, such as hydrogen and helium, are more commonly used for this purpose.

5. Are there any potential risks or concerns associated with heating gases to make protons fly?

As with any scientific research, there may be potential risks or concerns associated with heating gases to make protons fly. These may include the release of harmful byproducts, such as radiation, and the potential for equipment malfunction or accidents during the heating process.

Similar threads

I Probing into protons with high-energy particles
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
10
Views
834
I Experiment finds gluon mass in the proton (?)
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
12
Views
2K
I Impossibility of constructing a particle consisting of only neutrons and proton-neutron interaction
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
6
Views
884
B Can a hypothetical atom be made out of positrons and electrons ?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
9
Views
1K
B How much energy do you need to split up a proton?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
17
Views
1K
B Exploring the Nature of H+ Ions: Acid or Plasma?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
2
Views
989
A Does 15F Qualify as an sd Shell Nucleus?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
2
Views
1K
A Energy needed to convert a bound proton to a neutron?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Can a hydrogen atom become a neutron?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Why do all fermions have the same spin 1/2?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
7
Views
505

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top