• Question: What is the result if we split an atom up into protons neutron and electrons,would it be possible to rebuild an atom ?

    Asked by dawarboss to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 18 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 18 Mar 2012:

      Splitting the atom is called nuclear fission which produces a massive amount of energy. This process is used in nuclear power stations and also in atomic bombs.

      The energy produced in this way using nuclear fuels is millions of times more than if using a the same amount of fossil fuel. Nuclear fuels such as uranium and plutonium are bombarded by a stream of neutrons. They then break apart releasing energy and more neutrons which break apart more atoms – a chain reaction.

      We have not yet got to grips with the process of building atoms. There are a number of projects working on this and it is thought that fusion (where atoms and molecules are forced together rather than broken apart) power may be a very efficient and clean energy that we can use once we run out of fossil fuels.

    • Photo: Viv Lyons

      Viv Lyons answered on 18 Mar 2012:

      When atoms are split it is called nuclear fission and results in a release of energy. This is what is used in nuclear power stations. The opposite is when atoms are joined and is called nuclear fusion. This is what happens within stars.

    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 19 Mar 2012:

      It is theoretically possible. While we have made great advances in splitting atoms (fission) we are currently not able to create them (fusion) in large scales. When we master nuclear fusion, we will have a almost unlimited supply of energy, just like having miniature suns here on earth!

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