Do Electrons Behave Differently in Extremely Cold Temperatures?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter alias25
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the behavior of electrons and other particles at extremely low temperatures, particularly in relation to Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) and the implications of temperature on particle interactions and wave-particle duality. Participants explore various aspects of how cooling affects particle behavior, repulsive forces, and the nature of matter at near absolute zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that as electrons travel faster, their mass increases, leading them to behave more like particles, while slower electrons behave more like waves.
  • The same participant questions whether cooling gas to near absolute zero would cause electrons to behave as waves and whether this would affect repulsive forces between similar charges.
  • Another participant challenges the clarity of the initial questions and suggests focusing on one question at a time for better understanding.
  • There is a mention of Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and a participant expresses confusion about how particles can get close to each other despite repulsive forces, indicating a need for clarification on the physics of BEC.
  • One participant notes that photons can be examples of BEC and that condensation can occur at temperatures above absolute zero, suggesting a review of the participant's understanding of BEC is necessary.
  • A later reply indicates a recognition of the complexity of the topic and a willingness to learn more about bosonic particles and quantum states before further discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding regarding Bose-Einstein condensation and the effects of temperature on particle behavior. There is no consensus on the initial questions posed, and some participants seek clarification while others provide corrections or additional context.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the topic, including the need for a better understanding of bosonic particles and quantum states, as well as the nuances of BEC and its relation to temperature. There are unresolved questions about the implications of temperature on particle interactions and behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and the behavior of particles at low temperatures, particularly those curious about Bose-Einstein condensation and wave-particle duality.

alias25
Messages
197
Reaction score
0
the faster an object, ill use electrons for now, so the faster an electron travels its mass increases? right? so it behaves more as a particle... in the opposite case (because under say rtp it would be in motion therefore its mass slightly greater than its true mass) if it went slower it's mass will decrease(to its true mass) so it will behave more like a wave...
so if you had a capillary tube with air particles in (and u had a small erm what do u call them, i forgot..like something trapping the air in a column but it can move?) and cooled the gas down to 0k(wel as near as possible)...the electrons would be behaving as waves (would replusive forces be affected?..reduced?) since its a wave can it penetrate through the glass capillary tube? (can they escape as waves? or is that stretching it a little)
would the protons also be behaving slightly more like waves, but not as much as the electrons? (so reducing their repulsive forces too...so they don't mind getting so close to the other protons)

does temperature have anything to do with how strongly similar charges repel each other?

(omg i think i asked a million question, I am sorry and ill understand if you can't answer them all)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
1. You may want to rephrase your question. It was VERY difficult to make some SENSE out of it.

2. Hint: ask ONE question at a time and try to understand THAT first before buidling on top of that. If not, you'll end up what you just did - tripping over yourself.

3. Unless I missed something, what you asked has nothing to do with BE condensate.

Zz.
 
i thought BE condensate is about cooling matter to 0k? i just what to know what happens to that matter how can they all get so close to each other, the atoms, if you have repulsive forces between the electrons of each atoms and protons of each atom.
 
alias25 said:
i thought BE condensate is about cooling matter to 0k? i just what to know what happens to that matter how can they all get so close to each other, the atoms, if you have repulsive forces between the electrons of each atoms and protons of each atom.

Hint:

1. photons are an example of a BE condensate. And they're don't need to be cooled towards 0K to be in that state.

2. In high-Tc superconductors, the condensation can form at temperatures as high as 150K. Again, far away from 0K.

So you may need to review your understanding of the physics of BE condesation.

Zz.
 
oops sorry...i didn't know there was so much behind this..bosonic particles and quantum states. I think I need to understand that stuff first. (is this taught in most universities?, I might just wait until then, there seems to be soo much.)
 

Similar threads

High School Can you create neutronium by colliding electrons and protons?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Wave in phonon as "forward and backward" movement vs temperature
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad "Wave-particle duality" and double-slit experiment
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
10K
Undergrad Hall effect in P-type semiconductors: electron-centric heuristic?
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
4K
Graduate Binding energies with muonic structures
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
Graduate Why do electrons and protons have the same amount of charge?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
18K
Electrical Need advice on building a linear particle accelerator
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate How do acceptor energy levels form in p-doped semiconductors?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Why does a fan cool you in a sealed room if it adds heat?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
High School Extremely elementary questions about QM
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K