PDA

View Full Version : Q1


dudebud
Dec11-03, 12:34 AM
Can somebody tell me what is the angular velocity of an electron (more or less) around the nucleus. (it doesn't matter whether it's one in the most inner shell or the most outter, I just need an average value)

thanks

suyver
Dec11-03, 03:13 AM
That depends on the charge of the nucleus as well as the distance from the electron to the nucleus. Some of the highest velosities known are for outer electrons of gold: they can travel at significant (~50%) fractions of the speed of light. Side note: at such speeds it becomes important to include relativistic effects when calculating the properties of such electrons.

Of course electrons are not really spinning charges arround another charge as far as QM is conserned, so you should view claims like the one above with some caution... [:)]