Electron Movement: Understand Orbit Around Nuclies

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    Electron Movement
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the movement of electrons around atomic nuclei, specifically addressing the nature of electron orbits, the concept of probability waves, and the implications of quantum mechanics on electron behavior. Participants explore theoretical aspects and conceptual clarifications related to atomic orbitals and electron tunneling.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about electron movement, noting that electrons do not orbit the nucleus in a circular manner but rather in envelopes.
  • Another participant explains that orbital paths represent probability wave amplitudes, suggesting that there is no exact explanation for electron motion around the nucleus, and mentions the absence of angular momentum in the lowest energy state of hydrogen.
  • A different participant emphasizes that orbitals describe the probability of finding an electron at a given location, without indicating its prior or future behavior, highlighting the limitations of detection in quantum mechanics.
  • Some participants discuss the possibility of electrons being found outside the atom due to electron tunneling, while noting that such occurrences are very improbable.
  • There is a mention of the practical applications of electron tunneling in modern electronic devices, with a suggestion that these devices may rely on electrons "borrowing" energy to facilitate tunneling without escaping stable orbitals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that electrons do not follow classical orbits and that their behavior is better described by probability distributions. However, there is no consensus on the implications of electron tunneling or the specifics of how electrons interact with energy levels in practical applications.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying interpretations of quantum mechanics and the nature of atomic orbitals, with participants acknowledging the complexity and uncertainty inherent in these concepts. Limitations include the dependence on definitions of orbitals and the unresolved nature of electron behavior prior to detection.

clm321
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im having some issues understanding the way electrons orbit a nuclies. i know they don't orbit hte nuclies in a circle but in envelops. can someone describe how they move to me please
 
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The orbital paths you are thinking of are the probability wave amplitudes, the points of space where the electron could be found around the nucleus. I do not think there is an exact explanation of the motion of the electron around the nucleus, however the electron is not identically a point particle and therefor may in someway surround the nucleus or partially at any point in time, though this contradicts other experiments.

There is no angular momentum in the lowest energy state of the hydrogen atom and that is something to think about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital
 
They are not orbits and they are not paths.

An orbital is nothing more than a description of the probability of where we will find an electron when we go to detect it. It says nothing about what that electron was doing before we detected it or what it will be doing after the detection. In fact, we cannot say what the electron is doing at any other time than at the moment when we detect it.

It is entiely possible that the electron miught find itself away from the atom and outside some physical barrier (electron tunneling).
 
DaveC426913 said:
It is entiely possible that the electron miught find itself away from the atom and outside some physical barrier (electron tunneling).

Though very improbable. The gaussian function declines very quickly.
 
LostConjugate said:
Though very improbable. The gaussian function declines very quickly.

Not so improbable that we don't make excellent use of it in many modern electronic devices. :wink:
 
DaveC426913 said:
Not so improbable that we don't make excellent use of it in many modern electronic devices. :wink:

I think those devices rely on the electron "borrowing" a very small difference in energy though. Not enough to escape a stable orbital. I think anyways.
 

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