What Happens at the Atomic Level During a Collision?

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    Conduction
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of atomic collisions, specifically what occurs at the atomic level during such events. Participants explore the implications of atomic interactions, the nature of collisions, and the associated energy dynamics, touching on both theoretical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that atomic collisions involve atoms getting close enough for their electrons to repel each other, while others question whether this means orbitals overlap or if individual atoms repel each other.
  • It is noted that collisions conserve energy and do not generate energy, with some participants clarifying that energy is only released during exothermic reactions.
  • There is a discussion about the role of photons, with some asserting that electrons can absorb, scatter, and emit photons, but others argue that this does not occur during a collision unless a photon is present at the right moment.
  • One participant raises a question about the type of conduction being discussed, whether it pertains to heat or electrical conduction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that atomic collisions involve close proximity of atoms and that energy is conserved during these interactions. However, there is disagreement regarding the specifics of what constitutes a collision at the atomic level, particularly concerning the behavior of orbitals and the conditions under which energy may be generated or photons may be involved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include varying interpretations of the term "collision" and the implications of atomic interactions, which may depend on the context of bare atoms versus molecules or solids. The discussion also highlights the complexity of defining atomic behavior in terms of overlapping orbitals and electron repulsion.

Kaneki123
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Okay...It is written so often, even in the kinetic molecular model, that molecules of a substance (or atoms) collide with each other...so what does the collision of an atom actually mean, like at an atomic level...Do atoms get close to each other so that their electrons repel each other?...Also how does this "collision" generate energy? Is there an absorption of a photon by electrons?
 
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Yes atoms and molecules can get close and collide.

Collisions conserve energy, they do not generate energy.

Yes, electrons absorb, scatter, and emit photons.
 
What kind of conduction are we talking about? Heat or electrical?
 
anorlunda said:
Yes atoms and molecules can get close and collide.

Collisions conserve energy, they do not generate energy.

Yes, electrons absorb, scatter, and emit photons.
My question was that what is meant by this 'collision'', does it mean the orbitals overlap, or do the individual atoms repepl each other...?
 
Kaneki123 said:
My question was that what is meant by this 'collision'', does it mean the orbitals overlap, or do the individual atoms repepl each other...?

Your question does not match the title you have created for this thread. So that already created a lot of confusion. Maybe you don't realize what "conduction" actually mean.

Your question about "collision" has more to do on what is meant by our use of the term "touching" at the atomic/molecular level. Please note that the explanation can be quite different for "bare" atoms, particles, or molecules versus solids, since in the latter, surface physics may play a significant role.

We already have many threads on the "physics of touching". You may want to do a quick search for it.

Zz.
 
Kaneki123 said:
My question was that what is meant by this 'collision'', does it mean the orbitals overlap, or do the individual atoms repepl each other...?

My understanding:

Orbitals don't have a set size. They actually extend outwards to an infinite distance. The images of the orbitals you see have truncated the orbitals to show the most likely locations of the electron. Often they show the region where the electron has a greater than 50% chance of being found.

In a collision, the atoms get so close that the repulsion by their electrons rises very quickly, decelerating them and then forcing them apart. Once they are far apart (relative to their size) the repulsion is essentially zero.

Kaneki123 said:
Also how does this "collision" generate energy?

It doesn't generate energy unless it causes the atoms/molecules to undergo an exothermic chemical reaction and release energy.

Kaneki123 said:
Is there an absorption of a photon by electrons?

During a collision? No, not unless there happened to be a photon passing through at exactly the right time.
 

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