Can We Split Molecules Using Chain Reactions?

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    Molecule Splitting
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of splitting molecules through various means, including chain reactions and chemical processes. Participants explore different types of reactions, such as photochemical reactions and the separation of water molecules in hydrogen-powered engines, while also addressing misconceptions about molecular and atomic interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that splitting molecules is a common occurrence in chemical reactions, with photochemical reactions involving free radicals being a relevant example.
  • One participant mentions the use of an STM probe to break weak chemical bonds, although this does not typically lead to a chain reaction.
  • A participant draws an analogy with breaking a polo mint, proposing that this action may involve breaking intermolecular or intramolecular bonds, and notes a flash of light observed in the dark.
  • Another participant questions how hydrogen-powered engines separate hydrogen from oxygen in water without causing explosions, expressing confusion about the nature of molecular bonds and electron interactions.
  • One participant points out that dissolving table salt in water results in the dissociation of NaCl into Na+ and Cl- ions, framing this as a form of splitting a molecule.
  • There is a claim that since atoms have been split since the 1940s, it follows that molecules could have been split long before that, although this statement may be contested.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the mechanisms of splitting molecules, with some agreeing on the occurrence of molecular splitting in chemical reactions while others raise questions and uncertainties about specific processes and concepts. No consensus is reached on the implications or methods of splitting molecules.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on assumptions about chemical bonding and reactions that may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes varying levels of understanding of physics and chemistry concepts, which may affect interpretations of the claims made.

u235
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Can we split the molecule yet>?
I don't mean to spilt the atom causing a nuetron to become free, but cause a molecule chain reaction...>?
 
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u235 said:
Can we split the molecule yet>?
Yes, this is what chamical reactions do, all the time.


I don't mean to spilt the atom causing a nuetron to become free, but cause a molecule chain reaction...>?
Yes, look up photochemical reactions. In these reactions, free radicals play a role similar to the extra neutrons from nuclear chain reactions.

I believe it is also possible to break weak chemical bonds with an STM probe (folks at IBM research labs have been playing with stuff like this) but this doesn't, in general, result in a chain reaction of any kind.
 
If you are famlair with a polo mint (lifesavers in the US perhaps?), I believe if you snap one half you are actually breaking intermolecular bonds (though I could be wrong, it may just be intramolecular bonds), infact if you do it in the dark you can even see a small flash of light.
 
hey.


ok i was just wondering how the hydrogen powered engine separates the hydrogen from the oxygen in water. i was reading up on it, and it does this for the hydrogen, and then the oxygen is released into the air instead of carbon monoxide. so how does this contraption separate h2o molecules without causing a huge atomic explosion? surly separating a molecule like that would mean either rushing in electrons, and the ions would no longer need to bond with each other.. or I am just being stupid since I've never really taken any physics classes. i just know that the molecules are bonded by electrons orbiting different atoms in this infinity-8 shaped orbit or something.

but also what you said-a lifesaver breaking in the dark- i can understand that happening. but does that mean if you snap something a lot bigger, why doesn't it create a huge spark? like wood snapping or something..
 
You pour table salt into water and the salt dissolves. A fair number of the salt (NaCl) molecules will dissociate into Na+ and Cl- ions- you've split the molecule!

An atom is a part of a molecule. Since we've been able to split the atom since the 1940's isn't it obvious that we had to have been able to split a molecule long before that?
 

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