Atom when electrone is bombarded inside the nucleus

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    Atom Nucleus
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of an electron being bombarded into the nucleus of an atom, particularly in the context of quantum tunneling. Participants explore theoretical scenarios and experimental references related to this phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what happens to an atom if an electron tunnels into the nucleus.
  • Another participant references an article about mesonic atoms, suggesting that negatively charged mesons can occupy orbits within the nucleus, indicating a precedent for particles interacting at that scale.
  • A different participant explains that while the lowest energy electron state overlaps with the nucleus, typically no interaction occurs due to insufficient energy. However, they note that in some cases, an electron can be captured, resulting in the transformation of a proton into a neutron, a process known as electron capture.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the outcomes of an electron entering the nucleus, with some suggesting potential interactions and others indicating that typically no significant event occurs. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications and likelihood of these interactions.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about energy levels and the conditions under which electron capture occurs. The references to mesonic atoms introduce additional complexity that is not fully explored.

Tada Amda
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what will happen TO THE ATOM if electron end up inside the nucleus ( as in quantum tunnelling) ?
 
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See if you can find an OLD SciAm article titled, "Mesonic Atoms". I'll try to find the details and update.
The workers shot negatively charged mesons into lead atoms and the "Orbits" of the mesons were inside the nucleus.

CW
 
The lowest energy electron state in any atom has L = 0, and its wavefunction therefore overlaps the nucleus. In most cases, nothing at all happens, because the electron and proton don't have any way of interacting (not enough energy available). In a few cases it's energetically possible for the electron to be captured and turn the proton into a neutron. This is called electron capture or K-capture - see the Wikipedia article.
 
Thank you very much every one :)
 

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