Well, it would be nice to study the atom, however, our current science, and the theories they hold onto will not allow that.

Imagine scientist breaking apart a car, and then accelerating them (0-60mph) to find out what makes a car work.

When everyone knows that it is the relationship of all the pieces working together that make a car. Such is it too with atoms. We throw away the most important part of atom-ness by breaking it apart, before smashing it.