Breaking an atom down in it's components.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and energy requirements for breaking down an atom, specifically a helium atom, into its fundamental components. Participants explore concepts related to ionization, binding energy, and the structure of protons and neutrons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is possible to break an atom down into all its components and proposes that the total energy required includes both ionizing energy and binding energy.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of quarks, suggesting that the discussion may need to consider these fundamental constituents of protons and neutrons.
  • A participant asks for estimates of the magnitudes of the ionizing energy (A) and binding energy (B), inquiring which of the two is larger.
  • One participant asserts that while protons and neutrons can be considered components, they are composite particles that cannot be broken down in the same manner as atoms. They also suggest that the total energy to break down the atom is approximately equal to the sum of ionizing energy and binding energy, noting that one may be negligible.
  • Another participant comments on the practical aspects, indicating that ionizing helium is relatively straightforward, whereas breaking up the nucleus is extremely challenging and not commonly performed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of breaking down an atom into its components, with some suggesting it is possible while others highlight the complexities involved. There is no consensus on the exact energy requirements or the significance of the components involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the terms used, such as "binding energy" and "ionizing energy," and there are unresolved questions regarding the energy magnitudes and the implications of breaking down composite particles.

Sebas4
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TL;DR
Breaking an atom down in it's components with adding ionizing and binding energy to an atom.
Good day,

I have a question about breaking an atom down in it's components.

For an example we have a neutral 4-helium atom. The helium atom have a nucleus which contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Around the nucleus of the helium atom 2 electron orbits in the k-shell (according to Bohr's model). Imagine we want to ionize the neutral helium atom. We put some energy (work) into the helium atom to ionize it. We call this total ionizing energy A. Now we have left a He 2+ atom. If we add the binding energy from Helium into the system, all the protons and neutrons will be separated from each other. We call the binding energy B. So the total amount of energy we need to break an atom down in all it's components is energy A + energy B.

Here are my two questions:
Is it possible the break an atom down in all his components?
If yes is the total energy to break down the atom in all his components equal to the total ionizing energy + binding energy?
In the story above the total ionizing energy represent letter A and the binding energy represent letter B.

Thanks in advance for responding.

Sebas4.
 
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Are you not considering quarks?
 
Assuming you don't want to break up the protons and neutrons, can you estimate the magnitudes of A and B in your plan? Which is larger?
 
Sebas4 said:
Is it possible the break an atom down in all his components?
If you use protons, neutrons and electrons as components: Yes. Protons and neutrons are composite particles but you can't break them up in the way as you can break up an atom.
Sebas4 said:
If yes is the total energy to break down the atom in all his components equal to the total ionizing energy + binding energy?
Yes, but one of them is just a rounding error in the sum.
 
In practice, ionizing He is relatively easy. Breaking up yhe nucleus is extremely. I am not aware of any such activities.
 

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