Does the nucleus of atoms of noble gases vibrate and emit E.M wave

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether the nucleus of noble gas atoms vibrates in response to electromagnetic (E.M.) waves and if such vibrations would lead to the emission of E.M. radiation. Participants explore the interactions of isolated atomic nuclei with E.M. fields, contrasting these interactions with those of electrons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the nucleus, despite its higher mass, wouldn't vibrate when exposed to an E.M. wave, suggesting that this vibration could lead to re-emission of radiation.
  • Another participant asserts that an isolated nucleus can scatter E.M. waves similarly to electrons, but emphasizes that the effects of electrons typically dominate in neutral atoms unless specific resonance frequencies are involved.
  • A later reply agrees that the nucleus can vibrate in principle but notes that significant interactions with E.M. waves are typically only relevant at resonance frequencies, as seen in NMR experiments, where the focus is more on magnetic moments and spin rather than nuclear vibrations.
  • Another participant clarifies that the interaction with E.M. radiation involves the nucleus-electron system, highlighting the mass disparity that often leads to the nucleus being treated as stationary in discussions of atomic motion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance and implications of nuclear vibrations in response to E.M. waves. While some acknowledge the possibility of nuclear vibrations, others emphasize the dominance of electron interactions, leading to an unresolved discussion regarding the extent and relevance of nuclear behavior in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the mass ratio between the nucleus and electrons complicates the understanding of their interactions with E.M. radiation, and the discussion remains open regarding the conditions under which nuclear vibrations might be significant.

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People normally talk of electrons performing oscillatory motion when an electromagnetic field is incident on an atom.

But, won't the electric field of the E.M. wave cause the nucleus of the atom to vibrate...?
. "Note: Here I am talking of isolated atoms, that is atoms of noble gases, and not of molecules."

Please don't explain me the infrared absorption of light by molecules like CO2.


I understand that nucleus' mass is very high compared to electrons but even then won't it vibrate, with a very small amplitude or frequency...?

And if the the nucleus vibrates then we must think that vibrating positive charge of the nucleus will re-emit the radiation in all directions according to principles of electrodynamics.

But I have never heard of people talking of re-emission of electromagnetic radiation from nucleus. "People only talk of when a non-resonant light wave impinges upon an atom,it sets electrons of atoms vibrating and consequently they(electrons) re-emit this energy in the form of E.M. radiation in all direction according to a principle of electrodynamics." .

No one talks of re-emission of E.M. wave from a vibrating nucleus,oscillating with a much less amplitude than electrons......

Why Why Why:confused:
 
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An isolated nucleus will scatter electromagnetic waves just as electrons do.
If you have a neutral atom, on the other hand, the contributions from electrons dominate and cancel the effect from the nucleus - unless you hit specific resonance frequencies. of the nucleus.
 
won't the electric field of the E.M. wave cause the nucleus of the atom to vibrate...?

Yes, in principle. In practice, as mfb says, about interaction of EM wave with the nuclei makes sense only for resonance frequencies of nuclei when the electrons react negligibly. That probably happens in the NMR experiments, but then people from this field do not usually talk about nuclei vibrating, but rather talk about their magnetic moment rotating and about spin flipping.
 
Strictly speaking, it is the nucleus-electron system that is reacting to EM radiation and "vibrating". It is just that the mass ratio between the electron and the nucleus is such that there is not much difference between considering the relative motion and considering the nucleus as infinitely heavy and just looking at the motion of the electron.
 
Thanks to all for replies...!
 

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