When an atom passes between two parallel plates of a high-voltage capacitor, the presence of the electric field can influence the atom's electron orbitals. It is suggested that some orbitals may change due to the external field, indicating that the energy levels of the atom are not fixed and can be altered. This change in energy levels implies that the atom's electrons may not simply jump to higher states but instead experience a shift in their energy configurations. The concept of electric polarizability is crucial in this context, as it affects how the atom interacts with the electric field. Additionally, the discussion references the phenomenon of electron beams interacting with gratings, highlighting ongoing debates about the source of energy involved in these processes.
