Atoms and molecules question?

Question

When we smash atoms and molecules, pour on hottest heat, coldest cold, why do atoms or molecules never chip, crack, or break? How can they be THAT strong?

Answer 1

The forces holding atoms together are incredibly strong-a nuclear bomb is what happens when the internal bonds of an atom are broken, to give you an idea of how energetic they are. Molecules react in equations to form other molecules and can release energy(burning gasoline) or take energy to make (making polymers like plastics)

Answer 2

At extremely high temperatures molecules break down into atoms.

Atoms change during fusion. 4 hydrogen atoms fuse to into 2 helium atoms.

Answer 3

We break molecules routinely.  That's what chemistry is all about.  It's pretty easy to swap out the outer few electrons.  But the inner ones are quite tightly bound by the electric force.  And the nucleus is bound really strongly by the strong nuclear force.  If that weren't so, the universe as we know it would be impossible.  Quite a good design, actually.