Electron Density: Do They Become More Dense When Cold?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electron density in response to temperature changes, particularly focusing on whether electrons become more dense when cooled. The context includes considerations of electrons in a wire and the concept of electron gases, with references to Bose-Einstein condensates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of "more dense" in relation to electrons, prompting clarification on whether the discussion pertains to individual electrons or a collection of electrons.
  • One participant suggests that an electron gas would become denser as it cools, assuming constant pressure, and notes that electrons in a wire might also become denser as the wire cools due to the overall density change of the material.
  • Another participant asserts that electrons cannot form a Bose-Einstein condensate because they are fermions, which cannot occupy the same quantum state.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the volume of an electron, indicating a lack of clarity on this aspect of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the density of electrons and the possibility of forming a Bose-Einstein condensate, indicating that multiple competing views remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on these points.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of density in the context of electrons, the assumptions about the behavior of electron gases, and the implications of temperature changes on electron behavior in different materials.

cragar
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In my physics class today my teacher was wondering when electrons get colder do they become more dense . So do electron become more dense if the get colder.
 
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What do you mean by more dense? What is the volume of an electron? Or do you propose to discuss a collection of electrons, like an electron gas?
 
well my teacher was originally talking about electrons in a wire what would happen if the wire got colder . what would happen to an electron gas . If we got the electron gas cold enough could it become an Einstein-Bose condensate.
 
Sure, I think an electron gas would get denser as it cooled, if other factors like the pressure were kept the same. That's generally true for gasses. The electrons in a wire might also get a little denser as the wire cools, but only because the entire wire is getting denser. Those electrons are trapped within a crystal lattice whose density changes only a little with temperature.

However, you could never make a Bose-Einstein condensate out of electrons, because electrons are not bosons - they're fermions. That means that no two electrons can be in the same quantum state. And a system has to have a significant fraction of its particles all in the same quantum state (the lowest-energy state) to be considered a Bose-Einstein condensate.
 
I see thank-you for your response.
 
cragar said:
I see thank-you for your response.

i no that mass of the electron is 9.1 x 1o-19
volume i jus dun no?
 

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