Can Nuclei Emit Visible Light and Be Manipulated to Change Energy States?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of atomic nuclei emitting visible light and whether it is feasible to manipulate their energy states to achieve this. Participants explore theoretical aspects of nuclear processes, including the emission of radiation and the role of atomic configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if enough atoms are packed into a solid, it might lead to the emission of visible light from the nucleus.
  • Another participant challenges this idea, stating that forming a solid involves atomic processes related to electrons rather than nuclear energy states.
  • There is a proposal to consider the use of alpha particles in relation to nuclear interactions.
  • A later reply questions the clarity of the initial proposal and suggests that the discussion may be veering towards nuclear fusion as a potential mechanism for energy release.
  • One participant references nuclear fusion, noting that fusion of nuclei with lower masses than iron generally releases energy, which could relate to the emission of visible light from stars.
  • Another participant mentions that alpha particles are specific types of atoms without electrons and discusses their interaction with nuclei potentially altering energy levels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of manipulating nuclei to emit visible light. There is no consensus on the methods or mechanisms that could achieve this, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference complex nuclear processes and the conditions under which energy is released or absorbed, but there are limitations in the assumptions made regarding atomic configurations and the nature of radiation emitted.

cragar
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The nucleus of an atom has discrete energy states. And most of the time it emits gamma rays and x-rays from the nucleus. If I pack enough atoms into a solid or some other configuration could I get the nucleus to emit visible light. Is there any way I could manipulate the states to get them to emit visible light.
 
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What makes you think that packing more atoms into a solid will cause a nucleus to emit any kind of radiation? Forming a solid is an atomic process involving electrons, not the nucleus energy states.

Zz.
 
good point, could we use alpha particles
 
cragar said:
good point, could we use alpha particles

It's puzzling what you are agreeing to, and what you are trying to ask/propose.

Zz.
 
yes..puzzling...

If I pack enough atoms into a solid or some other configuration could I get the nucleus to emit visible light.

As stated, I don't think so but you are not so far off.

Are thinking about nuclear fusion??

"The fusion of two nuclei with lower masses than iron... generally releases energy, while the fusion of nuclei heavier than iron absorbs energy."

[check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion]

That WILL do it.

"lower masses than iron" covers visible light from stars.. like our own sun.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cragar said:
good point, could we use alpha particles

Alpha particle are atoms - just a specific type with no electrons.
 
If i get an alpha particle close to a nucleus would have one wave function interacting with another and it would seem that it would change the energy levels of the nucleus.
 

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