Why Do Electrons Move: Uncovering the Mysteries Behind Particle Movement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the fundamental question of why electrons move, exploring the underlying reasons and implications of their movement. Participants engage in a mix of philosophical inquiry and scientific reasoning, touching on concepts from physics, energy, and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express frustration with the inability to answer why electrons move, suggesting that explanations based on energy levels or forces do not address the core question of purpose.
  • One participant proposes that electrons move because otherwise, "nothing would happen," implying a fundamental necessity for movement in the universe.
  • Another participant explains that electrons experience forces in electric fields, which causes their movement, but questions the origin of these forces.
  • A statistical perspective is introduced, suggesting that electrons move due to differences in chemical potentials, akin to the distribution of particles in a closed system seeking equilibrium.
  • Some participants argue that the movement of electrons is a natural phenomenon, similar to other fundamental forces like gravity, and question the need for a deeper explanation.
  • There is a challenge to the idea that movement is necessary, with one participant asserting that motion is not inherently required.
  • Another participant mentions that the electromagnetic force, mediated by virtual photons, is responsible for electron movement, but this does not satisfy the philosophical inquiry into "why" movement occurs.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the adequacy of scientific explanations, suggesting that a philosophical approach may be more appropriate for understanding the purpose of movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the fundamental reasons for electron movement. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain, with some advocating for scientific explanations while others lean towards philosophical inquiries.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the nature of movement and forces, and there are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of terms like "force" and "interaction." The discussion reflects a blend of scientific and philosophical perspectives without clear resolution.

Veral
No one can answer this question. Physicists will tell me that an electron moves based on its energy level. Or some other mumbo-jumbo...
but WHY WHY WHY?
Why do electrons move AT ALL? What is the purpose?
You could say kinetic energy is the trade-off of all the other kinds of energies, but that isn't answering the question- it is only avoiding it.
Movement is something that is unneccessary and meaningless but for some reason, particles MUST move, in order to express the energy that they hold. Otherwise, they wouldn't interact with other forces and wouldn't have mass, spin, position, velocity or any other characteristics necessary to be MATTER.

Still, I must ponder... why do electrons move at ALL??
 
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Perhaps electrons move because otherwise, nothing would happen.
 
An electron is a charged "particle", being so it feels a force when subjected to an electric field. Thus when a free electron as is created in a CRT feels the field created between the cathode and anode it is accelerated by this force.

When a difference in potential is applied to the ends of a wire the electric field excerts a force which is greater then the force binding an electron to an atom. The condition which exists in a conductor is called an electron gas, there are so many atoms in the outer atomic orbitals that the electrons are essentially "free" and are easily moved by an electric field.

BTW: If you consider everything Physicist say "mumbo jumbo" Why are you asking this question here?
 
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electon moving is just a natural phenomenon
no one can tell you why the natural phenomenon will happen
just like some question why the gravity force exist? why the energy is conservation? why the speed of light is C? etc.
i hope you understand what i say
 
I say mumbo jumbo only for ****s and giggles, my friend. And even though you happen to spout out much terminology- you still do not answer it. A "force" is the reason for a particle's movement, but what caused this force?
Hmm?? "Force" is the result of interaction, and interaction can only exist with movement.
You have also failed.

Yes, Newton1, I do comprehend what you say. And it is a valid point. Perhaps by projecting human concepts onto the nature of reality, I alter it- but that does not mean that the nature of reality cannot show itself using it's own nature...
 
From a statistical point of view, electrons move because there is a difference in chemical potentials.

What does that mean?

Basically, things like to settle. If you fart on one side of a room, the stench will spread around until it's evenly distributed. If you have a box separated in two volumes with a wall, and you fill one volume with marbles, when you pull out the divider, the marbles will distribute evenly. If you have battery with an accumulation of charge in one cell compared to the other, when you connect the cells with a wire, the charge will redistribute until it reaches equilibrium... You get the picture.

eNtRopY
 
Originally posted by Veral
No one can answer this question. Physicists will tell me that an electron moves based on its energy level. Or some other mumbo-jumbo...
but WHY WHY WHY?
Why do electrons move AT ALL? What is the purpose?
You could say kinetic energy is the trade-off of all the other kinds of energies, but that isn't answering the question- it is only avoiding it.
Movement is something that is unneccessary and meaningless but for some reason, particles MUST move, in order to express the energy that they hold. Otherwise, they wouldn't interact with other forces and wouldn't have mass, spin, position, velocity or any other characteristics necessary to be MATTER.

Still, I must ponder... why do electrons move at ALL??

You ask for purpose - Science can't answer that. If you want to know *how* it moves then science can tell you that. That's about the extent of it.

Pete
 
[quoteA "force" is the reason for a particle's movement, but what caused this force?
Hmm?? "Force" is the result of interaction, and interaction can only exist with movement.[/quote] ? Each electron (and most other particles) create an electric field all around them. An electron in an electric field feels an electric force which causes it to move. This is just the way the world seems to work.

If you don't think this is a good enough answer, give an example of the type of answer you're looking for...
 
Originally posted by Veral
A "force" is the reason for a particle's movement, but what caused this force?
Hmm?? "Force" is the result of interaction, and interaction can only exist with movement.
You have also failed.
The electromagnetic force is mediated by virtual photons, which provide the carrier for the interaction. This is what "moves".
 
  • #10
Originally posted by Veral
I say mumbo jumbo only for ****s and giggles, my friend. And even though you happen to spout out much terminology- you still do not answer it. A "force" is the reason for a particle's movement, but what caused this force?
Hmm?? "Force" is the result of interaction, and interaction can only exist with movement.
You have also failed.

Yes, Newton1, I do comprehend what you say. And it is a valid point. Perhaps by projecting human concepts onto the nature of reality, I alter it- but that does not mean that the nature of reality cannot show itself using it's own nature...

It appears to me that your desire is for an argument and not an answer.

Once again a charged particle in a electric field experiances a force the force results in motion. There is no motion necessary.

If you are simply looking for an argument and not an answer I will lock this thread.
 
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  • #11
Originally posted by Veral


Why do electrons move AT ALL? What is the purpose?
...

Still, I must ponder... why do electrons move at ALL??

Can you be a little more specific? What exactly do you mean by "why" here?
 
  • #12
Originally posted by Veral
No one can answer this question. Physicists will tell me that an electron moves based on its energy level. Or some other mumbo-jumbo...
but WHY WHY WHY?
Why do electrons move AT ALL? What is the purpose?
You could say kinetic energy is the trade-off of all the other kinds of energies, but that isn't answering the question- it is only avoiding it.
Movement is something that is unneccessary and meaningless but for some reason, particles MUST move, in order to express the energy that they hold. Otherwise, they wouldn't interact with other forces and wouldn't have mass, spin, position, velocity or any other characteristics necessary to be MATTER.

Still, I must ponder... why do electrons move at ALL??

instead of asking people why, why don't you answer it by yourself. if i push you so hard that you fall down, why do you fall down not up? if you can answer my question that i posted in philosophy forum (something or nothing) then you can answer yourself why.
 
  • #13
Saying, "no one can know" or that science cannot say "why" is absurd. If scientists thought in this manner, no progress would ever occur.
In my opinion, electrons move because other electrons move, because other electrons move, etc...
 
  • #14
No one here (except you) has said no one knows. You have been told what causes electon motion. I believe that this thread is done.
 

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