Can a Mono-Molecular Blade Separate Material?

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The concept of a "mono-molecular blade," characterized by an edge as thin as a single molecule, raises questions about its effectiveness in separating materials. The discussion highlights that if such a blade can penetrate a material, it may disrupt atomic bonds, potentially causing damage. The blade's monomolecular edge acts as a fine wedge, facilitating the cutting process by allowing it to fit between atoms more easily than a thicker edge. This unique property means that a non-monomolecular edge would require significantly more force to cut through materials, as it cannot effectively navigate between molecules. Overall, the effectiveness of a mono-molecular blade hinges on its ability to exploit atomic structures without necessarily needing to apply excessive force.
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Would a "molecule thick" blade separate material by enough distance to damage it?

I don't know if this should be in general physics.

In science fiction the concept of a "mono-molecular blade" exists, this being a blade with an edge that it the thickness of a single molecule, or thinner.

Ignoring considerations of material strength, would this blade actually do anything? I had the idea that a very thin blade might pass between atoms and leave them unaffected if they were not forced apart far enough to affect their atomic bonds?
 
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Since no one else answered i would say if it can get through it separated the bonds, and though it may or may not cause much damage it did something. other wise people could walk through walls
 


I believe it is the EDGE of the blade that is monomolecular, not the whole blade itself, so I would assume the rest of the blade would rip apart the bonds if the blade itself was strong enough. The monomolecular edge functions as a very fine "wedge" to start the process I believe. An edge that isn't monomolecular can't get "between" the molecules/atoms of the material it's trying to go through, so you have to apply a lot more force to start cutting.

I THINK that's how it works.
 


I've read a lot of SF that employed that idea. The "wedge" theory makes sense to me.:wink:
 
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