Atoms in a Vacuum: Valance Electrons & Energy Output

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of raising the valence electrons in a group of atoms in a vacuum, as well as the energy output when conduction electrons transition back to valence electrons. It explores theoretical implications, interactions among atoms, and energy emission characteristics in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the effects of increasing valence electrons on neighboring atoms, noting that the degree of interaction depends on their distance apart.
  • Another participant highlights the vagueness of the second question regarding energy emission, suggesting that the context (semiconductor vs. conductor) is crucial for understanding the behavior of conduction electrons.
  • It is mentioned that in a conductor, conduction electrons do not fall back into the valence band, while in semiconductors, the outcome depends on the fabrication and the nature of the band gap.
  • A participant points out that with only ten isolated atoms, valence or conduction bands would not be observable, and instead, molecular orbitals may form if they cluster.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of raising valence electrons and the nature of energy transitions, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific definitions and conditions for the scenarios presented, which may affect the clarity of the questions and responses. The dependence on the type of material (semiconductor vs. conductor) and the nature of atomic interactions are also noted as significant factors.

GoldenAtlantis
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If I had a group of ten atoms in a vacuum what effect if any would raising the valance electrons per atom have on the other atoms? The second question is that when the conduction electron falls back to being a valance electron is all the energy given off as photons or is some heat (proportion?) I was also wondering if there is a table for the wavelength/frequency/energy that is given off per element (In some constant environment)? Thanks
 
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Either there's more to your questions than what you have described, or they are very vague.

GoldenAtlantis said:
If I had a group of ten atoms in a vacuum what effect if any would raising the valance electrons per atom have on the other atoms?

Here, the "vagueness" comes in in terms of the degree of interaction that each atom has on the others. If the atoms are on average a meter apart, then each one of them really have no clue what the other one is doing. Thus, your question really cannot be answered until YOU clarify what the conditions are.

The second question is that when the conduction electron falls back to being a valance electron is all the energy given off as photons or is some heat (proportion?) I was also wondering if there is a table for the wavelength/frequency/energy that is given off per element (In some constant environment)? Thanks

Again, this is also very vague. Are you asking for what happens in a semiconductor, or a "conductor"? A conduction electron in a conductor does not fall back into the valence band because the conduction band IS the valence band in a metal. In a semiconductor, it very much depends on how the semiconductor is fabricated, because if this happens way deep in the bulk of the semiconductor, then there's a good chance the photon would not make it out and will be absorbed as heat or via other absorption. One also have to consider if this is a direct band gap or an indirect band gap transition, because the latter requires the assistance of the lattice phonon.

Zz.
 
Also (if your second question is supposed to be related to the first scenario), with a collection of ten atoms you will not see any valence or conduction bands. At best, if you can make a cluster out of them (which is different from having isolated atoms in vacuum), you can form some molecular orbitals with a HOMO and a LUMO.
 
Thanks for the information

Thanks, I will look into this information. Thanks for the help
 

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