Question

Can an atom be destroyed?

Answer 1

Hint: We have to know that the atom is a lighter or a smaller unit of matter which forms a chemical element. Every liquid, solid, gas, and plasma is made up of atoms. These atoms may be ionized or neutral forms. The size of the atom is approximately equal to picometers. The components of atoms are electrons, protons, and neutrons. The charge of the atom may be neutral or ion charge. Its diameter ranges from $$1.67\times {10}^{-27}$$ to $$4.52\times {10}^{-25}$$.

Complete answer:
We need to know that the atoms present in the different elements are connected with each other in simple, fixed, and whole number ratios and there is a formation of a compound of atoms. And these atoms cannot be created or destroyed. That is, the atoms are indestructible. Because it cannot be divided or broken into different parts. So, according to the law of conservation of mass, matter cannot be created nor destroyed.
The denser center of an atom is known as the nucleus which is made up of protons and neutrons. And by the transmutation process, the atoms present in one element can be converted to atoms of another element. The atoms cannot live alone. Because the atoms can donate or accept the electrons and there is a formation of stable full-filled octet electronic configurations. But noble gases can exist as atoms. Because it has a full-filled electronic configuration.

Note:
According to the law of conservation of energy, the matter cannot be created nor be destroyed. Hence, an atom cannot be destroyed and it cannot be broken into smaller particles. The atoms mainly consist of three primary particles and that is electron, proton, and neutron. All the elements are created by atoms and all the atoms have different properties and mass.