Are atoms indestructible?

Question

are atoms indestructible? i need help with a sci project and i gotta find out the answer to this question i need help badly please thanks i give points to the best answers

Answer 1

atoms are made of protons neutrons and electrons which in turn are made by quarks and other sub-subatomic particles. so, in that sense, you can break them up.  

Answer 2

Atoms are not indestructible.  Here are some methods that will destroy atoms to varying degrees.

1)Nuclear Fusion-An atom is joined with another atom and energy is released.  The original atom is gone and a new heavier element is created.

2)Nuclear Fission -An atom is split into 2 different atoms.  The original atom is transformed into something else and energy is released.

3)Antimatter annihilation-Matter and antimatter collide.  A massive amount of energy is released.  Neither the atom nor the anti-atom exist anymore.  They are transformed into energy.

and finally, Einstein says E=mc^2.  All mass (m) can be converted into energy E.