Is there anything smaller than an Atom?

Summary

“Is there anything smaller than an Atom?”

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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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

Transcript

[Adam Tex Davis]

And now it's time for. Who Smarted? Psst. Hey, smartypants. Tell me this. What is the smallest thing you own? Think about it for a second, then shout out your answers. No, baby siblings don't count. I want you to think about something really, really small. Puppies are small, but I'm sure you have smaller. Oh, I heard somebody say an eraser. Okay, that could work. Oh, a Lego figure's head. Not bad. Ah. I heard dice, buttons, beads, pencil points. Yep, all very small things. But you know what? They can be made smaller.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

All right, look out, folks.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Uh, what are you doing?

[Adam Bomb Davis]

I'm gonna cut this ice cream sprinkle in half.

[Adam Tex Davis]

With a chainsaw.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

I'm a lumberjack. What else would I use? Stand back. Goggles on.

[Adam Tex Davis]

But I don't think you can.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

There you go. Wow.

[Adam Tex Davis]

You did it. See, Smarty pants, even something as small as an ice cream sprinkle can still be cut in half. But a half sprinkle can be made even smaller.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

What? You want smaller? Why didn't you say so? Here you go. A quarter sprinkle.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Wow, you are really good with that chainsaw.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Thanks.

[Adam Tex Davis]

But you can still cut the quarter sprinkle in half and cut that in half and that in half and that in half and over and over and over until you can't see it anymore.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Oh, boy. Are we done?

[Adam Tex Davis]

Not if you can still cut.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

If I can see it, I can cut it.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Yep. Even microscopic things can be cut in half over and over and over again until eventually you wind up with something so incredibly small, it cannot be cut anymore with the usual tools.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Phew. Looks like my work here is done.

[Adam Tex Davis]

So, tell me, smarty pants, what do we call this super small object? Is it A, a molecule, B, an atom, or C, an ant? Man, if you guessed B atom, you're right. Atoms are considered the basic building blocks of matter.

[Wednesday Addams]

But do they really matter?

[Adam Tex Davis]

Well, yes. And who are you?

[Wednesday Addams]

The name's Adams. Wednesday Addams.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Wednesday Addams, as in the Addams family?

[Wednesday Addams]

No, atoms. A T O M, S, as in the things you were talking about. The basic building blocks of matter. I'm the reason you did all that slicing. I like slicing stuff.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Um, right. So how are atoms a part of absolutely everything? Has anyone ever seen one? And if not, how do we know Adams exist?

[Wednesday Addams]

I can answer that.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Hold on, Wednesday. We need our theme song first.

[Wednesday Addams]

Right. This is one of those cheerful podcasts. Go ahead, play your little song.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Oh, thanks. It's time for another whiff of science on who Smarted.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Who's Smarted. Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it somebody? Science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Smarty pants, you ready to hear something that's truly amazing? Did you know everything that exists, from great big mountains to tiny little ants is made from atoms? The chair you sit on has atoms. Smartphones have atoms. Your face, your hair, your fingernail, and everything about you all made of atoms. Even the birds in the air, cars on the road, and the monsters in the sewer all contain atoms.

[Wednesday Addams]

You know there are no monsters in the sewer, right? I've checked.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Yes, Wednesday Addams. I know that. It was just a silly example.

[Wednesday Addams]

Fun.

[Adam Tex Davis]

So, smarty pants, how is it that so many different objects can be made with the same thing?

[Wednesday Addams]

Thing has nothing to do with this. He's at school.

[Adam Tex Davis]

No, by thing, I meant particle. Smartypants, why does everything on Earth contain atoms?

[Wednesday Addams]

Because it does.

[Adam Tex Davis]

But why?

[Wednesday Addams]

Fine. To answer that, you must know the history of atoms.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Okay, smarty pants, when do you think atoms first appeared? Is it A, when the Earth was created, B, shortly after the solar system formed, or C, near the start of the universe, also known as the Big Bang? Wednesday, Care to say the answer?

[Wednesday Addams]

No, I don't care, but I'll say it anyway. Atoms aren't just on Earth or the solar system. They're everywhere throughout the universe. The answer is see? After the Big Bang.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Good job. If you got that right, Smarties. Scientists believe when the universe began, it was incredibly hot and dense. Within the first few minutes of existence, it started to cool down, forming super small particles, even smaller than atoms. These particles are known as quark. Uh, Wednesday?

[Wednesday Addams]

Yes, Quark.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Is there a duck here?

[Wednesday Addams]

Do you see a duck?

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Quack?

[Adam Tex Davis]

Well, I can't see it. First, atomic particles are too small to see with your naked eye. Second, this is a podcast, and he can't see a podcast. Quack. Also, I don't think he's saying quack.

[Wednesday Addams]

He's not. He's saying the name of the particle you were talking about. The particle that formed at the start of the universe. It's called a quark.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Ah.

[Adam Tex Davis]

He's saying quark. As the universe cooled in its first few minutes, tiny particles called quarks merged together to create larger particles called protons and neutrons. These first protons and neutrons combined to form what would become the center of an atom, the nucleus quark. But these new protons and neutrons made from quarks needed another ingredient to become atoms. Smartypants, you might remember from past, who Smarted episodes like the ones on electricity and thunderstorms, that protons are positively charged particles. Do you remember what protons are attracted to? Here's a. They are particles with a negative charge.

[Adam Bomb Davis]

Quark.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Yes, and they formed at the same time as quarks. Are they A, elevators, B, elections, or C electrons? The answer is C electrons.

[Wednesday Addams]

But it wasn't easy capturing electrons, just like it's not easy capturing rodents for dinner.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Uh, right. Electrons were zipping all over the hot universe, and temperatures needed to cool way down for protons to capture them. Scientists believe protons nabbed their first electrons some 380,000 years after the big bang. Not really a long time after compared to the billions of years that have passed since then. Electrons began to orbit the combined protons and neutrons, Kind of like planets orbiting a star.

[Wednesday Addams]

And when an electron orbits a proton, you have an atom.

[Adam Tex Davis]

That's right, Wednesday. The first atoms formed two gases. No, not that type of gas. I'm talking about the most common gases in the whole universe, smarty pants. Do you know what they are? Hydrogen, oxygen, helium, nitrogen. If you said hydrogen and helium, you're right. And yes, that's the same. Helium used to fill up balloons.

[Wednesday Addams]

I prefer sheep bladders filled with helium.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Well, I suppose that works too. Helium and hydrogen are the simplest gases. Since hydrogen atoms have just one proton and helium atoms have just two protons, gravity forced these gases together to become stars. And inside stars, atoms took on more protons and electrons, creating heavier gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. When stars exploded, these new gases were sent throughout the universe. And as more cooling happened, atoms combined to form molecules, leading to the creation of planets, rocks, water, and eventually plants and animals, all from the atoms formed at the start of the universe and developed in stars. You know what that means?

[Wednesday Addams]

We're all stars.

[Adam Tex Davis]

You got it. Of course, in my book, I'd say you all are superstars.

[Wednesday Addams]

I have a book, too. It's for plotting revenge.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Yeah, that's not the kind of book I was talking about.

[Wednesday Addams]

That's disappointing.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Anywho, smarty pants, now that we know where atoms come from and how they're in everything, when do you think people first realized they existed? Is it a, in the 1930s, b, in the 1890s? C during the middle ages? Or D, in ancient times? The answer is D. Over 2400 years ago, a Greek scientist and philosopher named Democritus concluded that all matter can be cut in half until it reaches a point where it can't be cut anymore. And that point is. What did you say the atom.

[Wednesday Addams]

The word atom comes from a Greek word meaning indivisible.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Ah, but is that true, smarty pants? True or false, Atoms cannot be split in half.

[Wednesday Addams]

I just said atom means indivisible.

[Adam Tex Davis]

I know, and that's what people used to think. However, the answer, in fact, is false.

[Wednesday Addams]

I've been lied to.

[Adam Tex Davis]

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 Bomb Davis]

Whoa.

[Wednesday Addams]

Yeah, whoa. How can you split something so small you can't even see it?

[Adam Tex Davis]

That's a good question. But smarty pants, has anyone ever seen an atom? We'll answer that after this quick break. Spring is here, and if you're a homeschool family trying to finish the year strong, I want to tell you about ixl. It's the award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine covering math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. What I love most about IXL is how it adapts to each child's pace. Whether your kid needs to reinforce foundational skills before an assessment or push ahead into new material, IXL meets them exactly where they are. With no pressure and real encouragement built right in. Kids earn rewards, see their own progress, and actually feel good about learning. And for parents, the real time progress tracking is a game changer. You always know exactly where your child stands. Plus, it makes learning fun. And you know, I love that. Over 15 million students use IXL and it's proven to improve achievement in all 50 states. So make an impact on your child's learning. Whose smarted listeners get an excuse exclusive 20% [e-mail] smarted that's ixl.com smarted for your 20% off. Now back to who smarted Smarty pants? Just to give you an idea as to how small an atom truly is, next time you have a sheet of loose leaf paper, I I want you to look at the edge. Try holding it so you can barely even see the paper anymore. That super thin edge of paper is about half a million atoms thick.

[Wednesday Addams]

That's incredibly small. To see an atom, you must need a super powerful microscope.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Smartypants, true or false? You can see an atom through a microscope. The answer is actually false. You can't see an atom through a regular microscope, no matter how powerful it is.

[Wednesday Addams]

Whoa.

[Adam Tex Davis]

That's because microscopes use light just like your eyes. Do you see something when light bounces off of it. But light doesn't bounce off atoms because atoms are smaller than visible light itself. So scientists use other methods to view atoms, including a device you'll find at your dentist's office.

[Wednesday Addams]

Does it cause pain? Is it the drill?

[Adam Tex Davis]

No. Sorry to disappoint you again, smarty pants. This is something your dentist uses to see the insides of your teeth. Do you know what it's called? That's right. The X ray. X rays can bounce off atoms. So scientists have used them to figure out an atom's properties. And in the 1980s, they developed a special kind of scanning device that can trace an atom and create a model of one that people can actually see. With new technology and experiments over the last hundred or so years, scientists have learned a ton of ton of information on the structure and behavior of atoms,

[Wednesday Addams]

including how to break them apart. I like breaking things apart.

[Adam Tex Davis]

Scientists have found that atoms with a lot of protons can be split into smaller atoms through a process called nuclear fission. This complicated process releases a massive amount of energy. And its discovery led to two things. The first, nuclear weapons. The most powerful bombs in the world. The second, nuclear energy, which now provides about 10% of all the world's electricity.

[Wednesday Addams]

It seems little atoms like myself can make a big impact on the world for sure.

[Adam Tex Davis]

And scientists are still looking at other ways to use atoms to make electricity, which would be better for our environment and all creatures on earth. Quark, including invisible ducks. An atomic shout out to Sebastian, Liam and Juniel in Pleasantville, New Jersey. We're so glad that you love listening to who Smarted on your way to school. And we love being part of your morning smarting routine. Thanks for learning and laughing with us this episode. Adams was written by Dave Big Bang Beaudry and voiced by Gia Nucleus Davis, Adam Bomb Davis and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hydrogen Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max Atomic Mass Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Isotope Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.