“Is there anything smaller than an Atom?”

Who Smarted?
Aired: April 3, 2026
Hosts: Adam Tex Davis, Adam Bomb Davis, Wednesday Addams (character)

Episode Overview

In this energetic and laugh-out-loud episode of “Who Smarted?”, Adam Tex Davis and Adam Bomb Davis (with comedic help from Wednesday Addams) explore the mind-blowing world of tiny things—with a focus on atoms. They break down what atoms are, why they’re special, where they come from, and yes: whether there’s anything smaller than an atom. Sprinkled throughout with jokes, lively sound effects, and smart trivia, this kid-friendly episode turns atomic science into a fun, memorable adventure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How Small Is Small?

• The episode opens with Adam Tex Davis prompting listeners to think of the smallest thing they own, leading to playful answers like “eraser,” “Lego figure’s head,” and “pencil points.”
• Adam Bomb Davis comedically attempts to cut an ice cream sprinkle in half (00:45).

"Even something as small as an ice cream sprinkle can still be cut in half...and over and over and over until you can't see it anymore."
— Adam Tex Davis (01:03)

2. Introducing Atoms:

• The hosts guide listeners to the concept of atoms as the basic building blocks of all matter (02:17).
• Wednesday Addams joins the conversation, drawing a line between the Addams family and the scientific “atom”.

“Atoms are considered the basic building blocks of matter.”
— Adam Tex Davis (02:33)

• Explanation that everything—from mountains to ants, from smartphones to your hair—is made of atoms (03:49).

3. The Origins & Ubiquity of Atoms:

• Discussion on when atoms first appeared—immediately after the Big Bang, not just on Earth (05:13).
• Introduction of “quarks," even smaller particles that combine to make protons and neutrons, the central components of atoms (05:29–06:19).
• Analogy: Atoms coming together, forming nuclei, and eventually combining electrons in “orbits” to make the first atoms: hydrogen and helium (07:58).

“When an electron orbits a proton, you have an atom.”
— Wednesday Addams (07:58)

• Quick science quiz reveals that the most common and simple atoms are hydrogen and helium, the building blocks for everything else in the universe (08:03–08:30).

4. From Atoms to Everything Else:

• Explains how hydrogen and helium in stars fused to form heavier atoms, which, after supernovas, were scattered to form planets, water, living things, etc.

“All from the atoms formed at the start of the universe and developed in stars… You know what that means?”
— Adam Tex Davis (09:19)

“We’re all stars.”
— Wednesday Addams (09:23)

• Leads to the memorable point: "You all are superstars." (09:27)

5. Can Atoms Be Split?

• The origin of the word ‘atom’ comes from the Greek meaning "indivisible"—but modern science has proven otherwise (10:28–10:48).
• Atoms can be split, into protons and neutrons, as scientists discovered, leading to nuclear fission (11:05–14:23).

"Not really a lie, just an advancement in science. As we mentioned before, the nucleus of an atom contains subatomic particles called neutrons and protons. And scientists found a way to pull them apart. Basically splitting an atom in half."
— Adam Tex Davis (10:50)

6. How Do We See Atoms? (Or Do We?)

• Challenge: Atoms are so small that even the edge of a piece of loose-leaf paper is about half a million atoms thick (13:03).
• Regular microscopes can’t see atoms because atoms are smaller than visible light waves (13:09–13:21).
• Science workarounds:
  • X-rays are used to bounce off atoms and determine their properties.
  • In the 1980s, scientists developed scanning devices (like Scanning Tunneling Microscopes) to image atoms (13:39–14:18).

7. Atoms in the Real World

• Nods to atomic energy:
  • Splitting atoms (nuclear fission) produces massive energy, used in both nuclear weapons and electricity generation (~10% of the world's energy) (14:23–14:53).
  • Future promise: Scientists seeking better, cleaner ways to use atomic energy.

"It seems little atoms like myself can make a big impact on the world for sure."
— Wednesday Addams (14:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chainsawing Sprinkles:
  "I'm gonna cut this ice cream sprinkle in half."
  — Adam Bomb Davis (00:47)

• Wednesday Addams' Dark Humor:
  “I like slicing stuff.” (02:49)
  “I prefer sheep bladders filled with helium.” (08:30)
  “I have a book, too. It's for plotting revenge.” (09:32)

• Evolution of Scientific Thinking:
  “The word atom comes from a Greek word meaning indivisible.”
  — Wednesday Addams (10:28)
  “Is that true, smarty pants? True or false: atoms cannot be split in half?...The answer, in fact, is false.”
  — Adam Tex Davis (10:39–10:48)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01–01:23 – Introduction: cutting small things, discovering atoms
• 02:09–03:49 – What is an atom? How is everything made of atoms?
• 05:13–06:19 – The Big Bang, quarks, the origin of atoms
• 07:58–08:30 – Atoms form gases, stars, and heavier elements
• 10:28–10:50 – Greek concept of “indivisible” atom vs. modern science
• 13:03–13:21 – Scale of atoms; why we can't see them in a microscope
• 13:39–14:53 – How scientists “see” atoms; nuclear fission and atomic energy

Language & Tone

• Lighthearted, playful, and filled with puns
• Maintains a balance of scientific accuracy and humor
• Uses interactivity (quizzes, direct address to “smarty pants”) to keep listeners engaged

Takeaways

• Atoms, the building blocks of matter, are everywhere and make up everything.
• Atoms are made up of even smaller particles: protons, neutrons, electrons, and those are made of quarks.
• Atoms were formed in the early universe and inside stars, making us all “star stuff.”
• Though originally thought to be indivisible, atoms can be split, leading to both awesome and dangerous uses.
• Atoms are so tiny, they can’t be seen with ordinary microscopes—scientists must use special tools and tricks.
• The episode leaves listeners with a sense of wonder (and a few giggles) about just how big an impact the tiniest things can have.

Suggested For:
Kids, families, teachers, or anyone new to science curious about the hidden world of tiny particles.

Episode Credits & Dedication:
Atomic shout out to Sebastian, Liam, and Juniel in Pleasantville, NJ!
Written by Dave "Big Bang" Beaudry, voiced by Gia "Nucleus" Davis, Adam Bomb Davis, and Jerry Colber. Technical direction by Josh “Hydrogen” Hahn.
Theme Song: Brian “Isotope” Suarez & Adam Tex Davis.

For more hilarious science whiffs, listen to “Who Smarted?” four times a week!