Photon-proton/ proton-electron interactions

In summary, the interaction of photons with protons and electrons involves the absorption and emission of EM waves. When a photon hits an atom, it can excite the entire atom, not just the electron, due to the interaction between the nucleus and the electron. This results in the electron being pushed into a higher energy state, leaving a hole which can be filled by emitting an EM wave. Protons can also interact with photons, and their larger size may cause them to reflect the photon. The reason electrons do not collide with the nucleus is due to the equilibrium between the attraction of the nucleus and the repulsion of other electrons in the electron cloud.
  • #36
no gun said:
i still don't understand how the whole atom is excited when its just one electron rising a shell then dropping a shell once it releases the photon. the atom doesn't change just the electron.
thanks :D

I just wanted to add my two cents. Think about this classically as if you were to jump in the air. Is it the earth-you system that is in an excited, unstable state while you are in the air? Or is it just you that is in an excited state?

Remember that due to Newton's third law when you fall to the earth, the Earth also falls to you; that is, the earth-you system collapses back into the unexcited state it was in before you jumped.
 
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  • #37
Welcome to Physics Forums, Imabuleva!

I suggest that before you respond to a post, that you look at the date on it, especially if you found it via a Google search or forum search. The post that you responded to is more than nine years old.
 
  • #38
Hi, jitbell.

I replied because the topic is extremely interesting. I apologize that it's old.
 
<h2>1. What is a photon-proton interaction?</h2><p>A photon-proton interaction is a type of interaction between a photon (a particle of light) and a proton (a positively charged subatomic particle). These interactions can result in the absorption, emission, or scattering of the photon by the proton.</p><h2>2. How do photon-proton interactions affect matter?</h2><p>Photon-proton interactions can have various effects on matter, depending on the energy of the photon and the characteristics of the proton. These interactions can cause changes in the atomic structure of matter, such as ionization or excitation, which can lead to chemical reactions or the production of new particles.</p><h2>3. What is the difference between a photon-proton interaction and a proton-electron interaction?</h2><p>A photon-proton interaction involves a photon and a proton, while a proton-electron interaction involves a proton and an electron. These interactions have different effects on matter, as protons and electrons have different masses and charges, and therefore interact differently with photons.</p><h2>4. How are photon-proton interactions studied?</h2><p>Photon-proton interactions are studied using various experimental techniques, such as particle accelerators, where high-energy photons and protons are collided and their resulting interactions are observed and measured. The data collected from these experiments can then be analyzed to better understand the nature of these interactions.</p><h2>5. What are the applications of photon-proton interactions?</h2><p>Photon-proton interactions have many applications in fields such as nuclear physics, astrophysics, and medical imaging. Understanding these interactions can also help in the development of new technologies, such as particle accelerators, and in the study of the fundamental laws of the universe.</p>

1. What is a photon-proton interaction?

A photon-proton interaction is a type of interaction between a photon (a particle of light) and a proton (a positively charged subatomic particle). These interactions can result in the absorption, emission, or scattering of the photon by the proton.

2. How do photon-proton interactions affect matter?

Photon-proton interactions can have various effects on matter, depending on the energy of the photon and the characteristics of the proton. These interactions can cause changes in the atomic structure of matter, such as ionization or excitation, which can lead to chemical reactions or the production of new particles.

3. What is the difference between a photon-proton interaction and a proton-electron interaction?

A photon-proton interaction involves a photon and a proton, while a proton-electron interaction involves a proton and an electron. These interactions have different effects on matter, as protons and electrons have different masses and charges, and therefore interact differently with photons.

4. How are photon-proton interactions studied?

Photon-proton interactions are studied using various experimental techniques, such as particle accelerators, where high-energy photons and protons are collided and their resulting interactions are observed and measured. The data collected from these experiments can then be analyzed to better understand the nature of these interactions.

5. What are the applications of photon-proton interactions?

Photon-proton interactions have many applications in fields such as nuclear physics, astrophysics, and medical imaging. Understanding these interactions can also help in the development of new technologies, such as particle accelerators, and in the study of the fundamental laws of the universe.

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