Smallest possible orbit and velocity of a particle?

In summary, there are restrictions on the smallest possible radius of an orbit of a given mass, but once the distance becomes small enough, classical mechanics can no longer be applied and quantum mechanics must be used. Therefore, the result obtained using a mixture of relativity and quantum mechanics is not valid.
  • #1
jamie.j1989
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If the units of angular momentum are quantised in integer amounts of ##\hbar##, does that then imply that we have restrictions on the smallest possible radius ##r## of an orbit of a given mass ##m##, given that the speed of light is ##c##. As follows,

$$\hbar=m\bf{r}\times \bf{v}$$, where v is the velocity of the particle of mass m, if the velocity vector and radius are perpendicular then we have,

$$\frac{\hbar}{rm}=v$$

and if we account for relativity, we have

$$\frac{mv}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}=\frac{\hbar}{r}$$

If we now take the minimum radius to be the plank length l, we have for the maximum velocity of a particle with the minimum orbital angular momentum

$$v=c\sqrt{\frac{\frac{\hbar^2}{l^2}}{\frac{\hbar^2}{l^2}+m^2c^2}}$$

Which always gives v<c, which makes sense but I'm not sure if this result is correct?
 
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  • #2
Relativity and quantum mechanics are not fully compatible, so one can expect to run into problems when one tries to do a calculation involving both for very very small, close objects.

I think once the distance between an 'orbiting' and an 'orbited' object becomes small enough, one would have to analyse it using pure quantum mechanics, not a mixture of that and relativity. The QM derivation of the orbitals of a hydrogen atom is an example of that.
 
  • #3
jamie.j1989 said:
I'm not sure if this result is correct?

It's not meaningful because quantum objects don't have classical orbits.
 

1. What is the smallest possible orbit for a particle?

The smallest possible orbit for a particle is called the Bohr radius, which is the smallest stable orbit for an electron around a hydrogen nucleus. It is approximately 0.053 nanometers.

2. Can a particle have a velocity of zero in its orbit?

No, according to the laws of quantum mechanics, a particle must always have a non-zero velocity in its orbit to prevent it from collapsing into the nucleus.

3. How is the velocity of a particle in its orbit determined?

The velocity of a particle in its orbit is determined by its angular momentum, which is a product of its mass, velocity, and distance from the center of the orbit.

4. Can the smallest possible orbit and velocity of a particle be observed?

Yes, the smallest possible orbit and velocity of a particle can be observed using advanced technologies such as electron microscopes and particle accelerators.

5. Are the smallest possible orbit and velocity of a particle constant?

No, the smallest possible orbit and velocity of a particle can vary depending on the specific conditions such as the type of particle and the presence of external forces.

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