Can Free Particles in Plasmas Have a Continuous Absorption Spectrum?

  • #31
(Posted by Dickfore:)
So, how are they free if they are in the vicinity of atoms?
Claude Bile said:
Free as in not bound to a nucleus. Conduction band electrons in a condensed dielectric for example.
The difference between the photoelectric effect, in which the photon's total energy is absorbed by the electron, and Thomson scattering on free electrons, is that a little recoil momentum is absorbed by the recoiling atom or atomic lattice. Conduction electrons are not free electrons; the work function to remove a conduction electron is >= 3 eV.

Bob S
 

Similar threads

High School Why are absorption spectra continuous?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
8K
Undergrad Formation of emission lines and other topics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Graduate Spectrum Continuity: Quantum & Real-Life Perspectives
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad What empirical observation supports the axiom of continuous spacetime?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
Undergrad Gases: Not Required to Be Blackbodies
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
18K
Graduate What is wrong with particle acceleration based fusion?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Graduate How can we explain continuous absorption / emission?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate How can light cause atoms to oscillate without being absorbed?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
Undergrad Questions re: absorption spectrum
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Graduate Can Free Fundamental Particles Absorb Photons?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K