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They don't. At least not in the usual sense of the word. Most atoms are stable, meaning that they stay the way they are (barring external influences of course) forever.
There do exist unstable atoms however, these undergo radioactive decay, the prime example being uranium atoms. This happens because of quantum fluctuations; for example at random sometimes a proton in the nucleus may change into a neutron, changing the atom number and thus the element.
These fluctuations are described by Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle and are completely random; you cannot predict with certainty when an atom will decay; you can only give a chance for it to do so in a given time period.
This means that these atoms do not have an internal clock or aging mechanism. A given atom may decay within minutes or only after a million years, but until they do all such atoms are equal. So it is incorrect to think that 'older' atoms (atoms which have been around for a long time) have a greater chance to decay soon; they don't.
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∙ 13y ago
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Which have benn around longer the atoms in a newborn baby or those in a older person?
Hydrogen, H, the lightest atoms, makes up more than 90% of the atoms in the known universe. Most of these hydrogen atoms were formed during the beginning of our universe about 13.7 billion years ago. Heavier atoms are produced in starts, which are massive collections of hydrogen atoms pulled together by gravitational forces. The greatest pressures deep in a stars interior cause hydrogen atoms to fuse into heavier atoms. With the exception of hydrogen, therefore, all the atoms that occur naturally on Earth - including those in your body - are the products of starts. You are made of stardust, as is everything that surrounds you. So, atoms are ancient. They have existed through imponderable ages, recycling through the universe in innumerable forms, both nonliving and living. In this sense, you don't "OWN" the atoms that make up your body - you are simply their present caretaker. Many more caretakers will follow.
How many atoms in CBr4?
It is 1 calcium atom and 2 bromine atoms which totals 3 atoms
How many atoms are in magnesium?
how many atoms are there in magnesiumoxide 2 atoms are in magnesium 2 atoms are in magnesium
How many atoms does Fe3O4 have?
3 Fe atoms plus 4 O atoms totals 7 atoms.
Why do atoms tend to be bonded to other atoms'?
The correct answer is: Atoms are often more stable when bonded to other atoms
Does your skeleton grow as you get older?
Yes, I believe that your skeleton does grow when you get older, along with your body.
Is it natural for people to grow old?
Yes, from the time of your birth you grow older. At first this process is one of development (you grow up) then decline as you grow older.
How do joints grow stronger?
they grow and get stronger as you get older
How do starfish grow where aparts gets out of?
as they get older they grow where parts get out of.
What can you get to make your facial grow?
Older.
What do ox do?
grow muscles when your older
How fast do you grow?
Become older
Why are people old?
Because once a year, they have a birthday which celebrates when they were born. On every birthday, you grow one year older. You age older and older until you die. ^^Don't lie
Can you grow old on sims2 ps2?
No they cannot grow older or have kids either.
Does facial hair grow higher up your face as you grow older?
yes
How does a shark grow?
they grow s they get older sort of the same way humans do
You carry me school. To grow small as I grow older. What am I?
A pencil
