MadSci Network: Chemistry |
I've seen a page in your archives about how to split atoms in a nuclear bomb. However, that didn't answer my question. If you take normal, everyday oxygen (not air, oxygen), how would you split that into two individual oxygen atoms? If possible, could you also tell me if you could bond several together after splitting them? Thanks. We're talking about two very different processes here. "Splitting atoms" means breaking up the structure of individual atoms, but what you are talking about is separating atoms in a molecule, which is made up of more than one atom. There are several ways to split oxygen molecules; the most common is electrolysis (in which a high-voltage spark is passed through oxygen gas). This is used commercially to generate ozone: ½O2 → O Oxygen atoms prefer to form molecules of dioxygen; they don't like to link up in long chains. See this previous answer. Dan Berger |
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