I Angular momentum of an atom within a rigid body in motion

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The discussion centers on whether the angular momentum of an electron in an atom changes when the atom is part of a rigid body in motion. It is argued that the electron's speed remains invariant regardless of the body's motion, as its state is typically described relative to the nucleus. The angular momentum, defined in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, does not depend on the nucleus's motion, but the electron's wave function must account for the atom's motion. The conversation highlights the necessity of using a more complex dynamical model for atoms in motion, particularly at relativistic speeds. Ultimately, the rigid body concept is deemed insufficient for accurately describing atomic behavior in motion.
  • #61
james fairclear said:
The discrepancy between the clock on the ground and the clock on the aircraft can only be explained by the relative motion between the clocks as that was the only material difference between the 2 clocks in the experiment.
No, the relative motion was not the only material difference. The different clocks took different paths through spacetime; that is the material difference. The relative motion is one side effect of that, but not the only one.
 
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  • #62
Nugatory said:
You will no longer be able to post into this thread.
Which, since he was the OP of the thread, means the thread is now closed.
 
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