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magnetar
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If an electron orbital the Earth only influence by gravity,does it emit electromagnetic waves? if so, the radius will decay,eventually falling on earth?
HallsofIvy said:Are you postulating an electron orbiting the earth? Why bother with such a strange example? Using the "planetary model", an electron orbiting the nucleus of an atom is accelerating and so must be emitting waves- which would result in its losing energy until it cannot orbit the nucleus. That is one of the things that led to the development of quantum physics. The "planetary model" is invalid and an electron emits electromagnetic waves only when goes from one "energy level" to another.
snorkack said:The relativistic problem is whether an electron held stationary in a field of gravity would be emitting electromagnetic waves?
Let's clear some stuff up first. The principle of equivalence says that free fall is locally equivalent to inertial movement. It also says that being at rest in a static gravitational field (meaning following orbits of the time translation symmetry) is locally equivalent to acceleration. All these things presuppose that the system one is working with is local in space-time. An electron carries an electromagnetic field which fails to satisfy this requirement so the equivalence principle does not apply here.snorkack said:Principle of equivalence says that free fall has to be indistinguishable from inertial movement.
An electron orbital is a region in space around an atomic nucleus where an electron is most likely to be found. It is often described as a "cloud" or "shell" that surrounds the nucleus.
An electron orbital does not directly relate to the earth. However, the earth is made up of atoms, and all atoms contain electrons in orbitals. The energy levels of these electrons contribute to the properties of the materials that make up the earth.
Electrons in orbitals can transition between energy levels, releasing energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. This radiation can manifest as light, heat, or other forms of energy. The energy radiated by the earth's electron orbitals contributes to the planet's overall energy balance and plays a role in processes such as the greenhouse effect.
Yes, electron orbitals can change over time. The behavior of electrons in orbitals is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, and they can transition between different energy levels or even occupy different orbitals under certain conditions.
Understanding electron orbitals is crucial in many areas of science, including chemistry, physics, and materials science. It allows scientists to predict and explain the properties and behaviors of atoms and molecules, which in turn, helps us better understand the world around us.