How can you split an atom without destroying the electrons inside? Please help!

Question

Its for a science project....

Answer 1

First of all, the electrons are not inside, but orbit or form a field around the outside.  When an atom is split, there are normally two parts (millions of sets of them, actually/usually) and they pick up electrons from the fog of the environment based on the number of protons to provide an electrical balanced atom of the new type.

Answer 2

As stated, you split the nucleus.  Electrons hover around the nucleus.

And, you can break a lego construction without destroying the legos making it up.  The atom is made of various subatomic particles, fission is justs separating those particles up.

Now, explain to us what experiment you're preforming that requires a knowledge of nuclear fission!  Should I be scared?

Answer 3

You're building an "atom smasher" for a science project?

When atoms undergo fission, the electrons are not destroyed.  Remember the law of conservation of matter: "matter is neither created nor destroyed ..."

When the atom splits into two fission fragments the electrons are divided between them.  

======= Follow up =======

Technically, it is the law of conservation of matter AND energy, but we only get the matter to energy conversion in nuclear processes, NOT chemical processes.

Lest anyone think that you are actually correct, let me make a few comments.  Matter is definitely NOT destroyed during chemical processes like the decomposition of organic material.

Your statement ...

Matter is destroyed. all the time. When that happens, some of the energy stored in the matter is released, usually as heat. "Rotting" (decomposition) destroys the matter, and in the process gives off some heat. Rotting objects are always just slighty warmer than their surroundings."

... is wrong in so MANY ways!!!!

[Organic] matter is not destroyed in "rotting", it only changes form.  It goes from one chemical to another, and finally ends up as CO2 and water vapor.  And while a compost heap (where your comments belong) does give off some heat, it is certainly NOT from the conversion of matter to energy.  The heat comes from the chemical reaction that produces the chemical products.  There are no nuclear reactions taking place in a compost pile.

But then don't take my word for it (master's degree in chemistry with 35 years of teaching and 10 years of consulting for the state of North Carolina's education department), consult ANY chemistry book.  Seriously, Gary, you need to read one.  Please!  Please read one before making in any more statements like those.

Answer 4

an atom means it cannot be splitted further...

But tell me how did you find an atom

Answer 5

Certainly. In most experiments,  that's the whole point.

But are you considering splitting an atom for a science project??  What school do you go to -- Eureka High School??

Splitting an atom takes HUGE amounts of power -- like power-a-small-city amounts of power.  Normally, that power is applied to a Collider, which itself is a huge device, typically MILES in diameter.

Im pretty sure that you don't have access to sucha  device.  If you did, you wouldn't have had to ask your question.

EDIT:

PISGA . . .

The correct statement is "The Law of Conservation of ENERGY: ENERGY can be neither created nor destroyed." Energy can only change form, per E=MC2.  Matter is one form of energy.

Matter is created and destroyed all the time.

Creation of matter in living things is called growth.  ALL living things use the energy stored in their food to created new cells, and thus grow or repair themselves.

Matter is destroyed. all the time.  When that happens, some of the energy stored in the matter is released, usually as heat. "Rotting" (decomposition) destroys the matter, and in the process gives off some heat. Rotting objects are always just slighty warmer than their surroundings.

Making a fire also destroys matter, and in turn SOME of the energy stored in the matter into heat and light.  We can see that there is an excess of energy given off because the fire continues to burn even after the original source of energy (the match) is removed.

But the process is never perfect. Thre is always some matter that is not converted, and this is left as ash and smoke.  the only "pure" matter-to-energy conversion is the matter/antimatter reaction.

Answer 6

Suppose that you strike a uranium atom with a neutron, and it fissions.  The nucleus divides into two unequal parts -- but the total number of protons doesn't change.  So, the electrons will divide up in the same manner as the protons did.  No electrons are either created or destroyed in the process.