Broken object bonds [duplicate]








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[Ripping apart plastic: is this a chemical or physical change?](/questions/31299/ripping-apart-plastic-is-this-a-chemical-or-physical-change)

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Closed 6 years ago.



This may be a stupid question but I was wondering why, if I break a stone or any other object in two parts, and then I try to put these two parts together they don't stick to each other.
I mean, the bonds that were keeping those atoms together have been broken so whenever they are put next to each other they should theoretically attract each other back..?
Thank you




Depending on the chemical nature of the stone, the bonds may rearrange themselves to be quite content with their new situation, or they may be left dangling for a while. In the last case you should be able to put the halves back together, given the following conditions:


* The dangling bonds do not react with the components of surrounding air;
* The break-up surfaces remain very clean (no debris from the fracture, no dust in the air);
* You can put the parts together with atomic precision.


Each of these conditions is unlikely enough in itself. And if any of them fails, then the stone will behave as usual, that is, remain broken.


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