Ionization -- Efficiently ionizing every electron off of atoms

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of efficiently ionizing every electron off of atoms to produce protons and neutrons without generating excessive heat. The scope includes theoretical considerations of ionization methods and energy requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about radiation methods for ionizing all electrons while avoiding significant heat generation.
  • Another participant clarifies that simply removing electrons does not yield individual protons and neutrons, as splitting nuclei requires additional energy.
  • It is noted that any method to remove electrons will likely result in increased temperature if the sample is substantial enough.
  • A participant suggests that to achieve higher energy levels for electrons, energy must be added, typically resulting in the formation of plasma.
  • Another participant mentions that alternative methods, such as laser bombardment, can also lead to heating the sample, prompting a question about the overall goal of the inquiry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the methods and implications of ionizing electrons and the associated thermal effects, indicating that multiple competing perspectives exist without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for significant energy to achieve the desired ionization and the inherent thermal consequences of such processes, but specific assumptions and definitions remain unresolved.

dsaun777
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Is there a radiation method for efficienctly ionizing every electron off of atoms to produce strictly protons and neutrons Without generating tremendous heat?
 
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Just removing all electrons doesn't give you individual protons and neutrons. To split the nuclei as well you need even more energy.

Everything that removes all electrons will also make your sample very hot (if it is large enough to have a meaningful temperature).
 
mfb said:
Just removing all electrons doesn't give you individual protons and neutrons. To split the nuclei as well you need even more energy.

Everything that removes all electrons will also make your sample very hot (if it is large enough to have a meaningful temperature).
I want to keep the nuclei intact but push out the electrons to their highest energy level i...
 
The only way to remove the electrons or get them to higher levels is by adding energy, which simply means heating the atoms to a high enough temperature to form a plasma.
 
You don't have to heat them directly, but shooting lasers at them, bombarding them with electrons and so on will all make the sample hot as well.

@dsaun777: What do you actually want to do? What is the larger overall goal?
 

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