What happends when you cut something in half?

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In summary: The same argument applies to the cross links between chains. In summary, When cutting something in half, such as a sheet of paper, the bonds (electromagnetic interactions between outer shell electrons) between atoms break. This is because the paper is made up of cellulose fibers, which are long polymer chains of sugars. When these bonds break, they are exposed to the environment and can react with available chemicals, preventing the polymer chains from joining back together. This process requires energy and can be seen as a form of chemistry.
  • #1
epislon58
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What happends to atoms when you cut something in half, say a sheet of paper. In a solid, atoms are packed tightly, so I was curious and wondering of this is even a valid question.
 
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  • #2
Bonds (electromagnetic interaction between outer shell electrons) between atoms break.
 
  • #3
ZombieFeynman said:
Bonds (electromagnetic interaction between outer shell electrons) between atoms break.

I doubt cutting a piece of paper in half is chemistry.

epislon58 said:
What happends to atoms when you cut something in half, say a sheet of paper. In a solid, atoms are packed tightly, so I was curious and wondering of this is even a valid question.

nevermind. you're breaking and untangling these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycosidic_bond
 
  • #4
'roidbreaker said:
I doubt cutting a piece of paper in half is chemistry.



nevermind. you're breaking and untangling these:

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

You can reason this out without having to consider fancifully named bonds on some wiki page. There are four fundamental forces. Gravity is far too weak to hold any small object like paper together. The purpose of the weak nuclear force is to mainly mediate certain radioactive decay. It is also too weak to hold paper together. The strong nuclear force is too short ranged. Weve found the culprit! Electromagnetism! Now it is easy to convince yourself that paper is held together by bonds between atoms just like most solids. If the paper comes apart then, it must be because these bonds break.
 
  • #5
Paper is a sheet of cellulose fibres. Each cellulose molecule is a long polymerised chain of sugars. When you cut paper you tear apart the bonds between adjacent sugars and expose the broken bonds on both sides of the tear to the environment. It is highly probable that some available reactive chemical, such as water, will satisfy the available bonds and so prevent the polymer chains joining up again.

The energy you need to tear a material can be calculated from the bond strength in the polymer and the density of the fibres. So when you cut or tear a material you are performing chemistry. You are using energy to break chemical bonds and then allowing them to react again with their environment.

This subject straddles the twilight zone between Physics, Chemistry and Engineering.
Your particular view will be determined by your viewpoint.
 
  • #6
ZombieFeynman said:
Electromagnetism! Now it is easy to convince yourself that paper is held together by bonds between atoms just like most solids. If the paper comes apart then, it must be because these bonds break.

These bonds could be intertwined carbohydrate chains that get untangled, no? Yes, electromagnetic potential, but it doesn't necessarily have to be broken. Does it?
 
  • #7
It takes energy and intelligence to untangle chains.

When two chains lie against each other, some cross bonds form between the chains. It takes only a few of these cross links to exceed the strength of one chain. If there were no bonds between the chains then there would be no friction and the chains would simply slide apart.

A bond can be seen as an attraction to a situation of local minimum energy. To escape that attraction energy must be provided. That breaks the interrelationship and therefore the bond.
 
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What happens when you cut something in half?

When you cut something in half, you are essentially separating it into two equal parts. The properties and characteristics of the object may change depending on what it is made of and how it is cut.

Does the weight of the object change when it is cut in half?

The weight of an object will not change when it is cut in half. The total mass of the object remains the same, it is just divided into two equal parts.

What happens to the chemical composition of an object when it is cut in half?

The chemical composition of an object will not change when it is cut in half. The molecules and atoms that make up the object remain the same, they are just rearranged into two separate parts.

Will the size of the object change when it is cut in half?

The size of an object will depend on how it is cut. If the object is cut evenly, the size will remain the same. However, if the cut is uneven or at an angle, the size of the two parts may differ.

Can an object be cut in half indefinitely?

In theory, an object can be cut in half indefinitely. However, as the object gets smaller, the properties and characteristics may change drastically and eventually the object may no longer be recognizable or usable.

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