• Question: how have atoms adapted to animals/plants...

    Asked by emmaleung to Claire, Kate, Matt, Rob, Sam on 21 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Sam Geen

      Sam Geen answered on 21 Jun 2013:

      Atoms are the same as they were since the beginning of the universe, more or less. In fact, it’s the other way round – life has evolved from the atoms and molecules on Earth and adapts itself to how chemistry and physics work. But the atoms in cats or tulips are the same as the atoms on other planets or other galaxies.

    • Photo: Matthew Pankhurst

      Matthew Pankhurst answered on 22 Jun 2013:

      Atoms themselves don’t adapt, because they aren’t living and don’t have any mutations or preferences or responsibilities or thoughts or anything. They just are, and always have been….
      …. except for atoms which are made by other atoms being unstable and changing… But it isn’t adaptation, just physics… cool physics, but physics.

      for some light reading, why not look at
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_physics
      enjoy!

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