Explain atoms to me - I'm a dumbo

barneysplash

Right someone explaine this to me.

How come if science tells us that atoms are mostly empty space

then I can't push a pen through a window for example .


What I mean to say is, what are atoms made of?

I remember from school and college that they're made of electrons, protons and neutrons.

But what are all these quark yokes?

How does this affect our modes of everything -

Molecular reactions (electron transfer)

How the sun works (fusion of neclesus)



Remeber, keep it in simple terms.

Thanks

Kevster

barneysplash wrote:

How come if science tells us that atoms are mostly empty space

then I can't push a pen through a window for example .

What happens when you try to force the two positive (or negative) ends of a magnet together? They repel each other, right? The same principle applies to atoms. They are inherently electro-magnetical in nature and the same rule applies. When you touch something (a table, for example), your atoms don't actually come into contact with the table. What happens is that the electro-magnetic force prevents the atoms from coming into contact.

This is why it takes so much energy to cause the fusion of two atoms... ...which, at present, can only occur in the Sun and other stars.

barneysplash wrote:

What I mean to say is, what are atoms made of?

They're just... ...energy.


That's all I'm saying at the moment. I'm sure some 'proud' chemist dude will make a reply and start mocking you - thinking that he knows everything there is to know about this and will, thus, ramble on forever. I, however, am more succinct.

Was this okay?

Take care,
Kevin.

kevmy

barneysplash wrote: »

Right someone explaine this to me.

How come if science tells us that atoms are mostly empty space

then I can't push a pen through a window for example .

Very well explained above

barneysplash wrote: »

What I mean to say is, what are atoms made of?

I remember from school and college that they're made of electrons, protons and neutrons.

But what are all these quark yokes?

How does this affect our modes of everything -

Molecular reactions (electron transfer)

How the sun works (fusion of neclesus)



Remeber, keep it in simple terms.

Thanks

I've a simple rule when it come to atoms forget about quarks, bosons etc.

An atom is made up of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) which is relatively dense, heavy and solid.
And it also has electrons which are lightweight and difficult to pin down and whizz around the nucleus.

That pretty much what you need to know. Quarks etc. are parts of protons and neutrons but are kind of inconsequential when it comes to a basic understanding of the atom.

It is true to say they are energy because Einstein's famous equation E = MC^2 says everything which has mass is essentially energy

barneysplash

Thank you both for the very good comments.
I enjoy this kind of learning debate, most of the time boards.ie is just people slagging eacch other off.

So everything is made of energy?

So what is energy?


E=mc2 that's what happens in the sun and atom bombs isn't it?

You'd hardly think I hold a national cert in applied chemistry!

I was always more of a stick and ball type of molecular student

IrishKnight

barneysplash wrote: »

So everything is made of energy?

Basicaly, yes, as mass is a form of energy.

barneysplash wrote: »

E=mc2 that's what happens in the sun and atom bombs isn't it?

E=mc^2 means that for a small change of mass alot of energy is given off.

There are two types of atomic bomb, a fission one and a fusion (like the sun) one.

Lets look at fission. This is were a heavy atom, for example Uranium-238 (U-238), is hit with a neutron (n). As n is taken in by the U-238 atom, the atom becomes more unstable. As such, it starts to rip itself apart into two other atoms, in this case, Barium (Ba) and Krypton (Kr), and neutrons.

But when you add up the masses of the products, Ba, Kr and n, it does not equal the mass of the U-238 and the n.

This is where E=mc^2 comes into play. The difference of the two masses is converted into energy. As the speed of light is so big, c=300,000,000 m/s. Even the smallest change "loss" in mass can result in large amounts of energy.

Now fusion, which is what happens in the sun. This is where two light atoms are joined to form a heavier one and a n is released. Once again the difference in the two mass, result in energy.

H + H ----> He + n + energy

That is the reaction that happens in the sun.

I hope that helps you in your understanding

kevmy

barneysplash wrote: »

So everything is made of energy?

So what is energy?

Yep everything is energy.

The textbook definition of energy is that energy is the ability to do work.

Now when people say energy is given off or lost in atomic reactions it is usually in the form of radiation (in the case of a bomb also in heat and light and sound).
There are 3 types of radiation: aplha, beta and gamma
Alpha radiation is in the form of a Helium nucleus
Beta radiation is an electron
Gamma radiation is often referred to as pure energy because it's not releasing a part of the original atom. However in reality it they consist of high energy photons (that is little packets of light).

barneysplash

The UK newspaper "The Independent" is doing a science mini-book give away with each day's paper for the next two weeks.

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/the-big-ideas-of-science-explained-806571.htm



Parts of my brain long rusty and unused are returning to regular use with such stimulation! Wonderful!