- #1
Cheman
- 235
- 1
Right, as we know from the uncertainty principle we don't know exactly where an electron is, just where it most probably is. This implies that electrons don't follow circular paths like those of planets round the sun (as in the rutherford model) - they must take a more random path.
My question is if electrons are moving forward, like a planet, around the nucleus which is exerting a force on them, like the sun, why don't they take circular or eliptical orbits? Is it, quite simply, that electrons experience much more forces than the planets, interacting with forces from other electrons, atoms, etc?
Furthermore, does this suggest then that if there was no other matter in the universe (ie - no charges) a hydrogen atom would indeed look like one from the rutherford model - like a planet making a circular orbit of the sun?
Thanks in advance.
My question is if electrons are moving forward, like a planet, around the nucleus which is exerting a force on them, like the sun, why don't they take circular or eliptical orbits? Is it, quite simply, that electrons experience much more forces than the planets, interacting with forces from other electrons, atoms, etc?
Furthermore, does this suggest then that if there was no other matter in the universe (ie - no charges) a hydrogen atom would indeed look like one from the rutherford model - like a planet making a circular orbit of the sun?
Thanks in advance.