Electrons: Wave & Particle Movement Explained

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In summary, the conversation discusses the movement of electrons and the concept of kinetic energy in quantum physics. It is noted that electrons can either be localized or delocalized, resulting in different movement patterns. The classical understanding of electron movement does not apply in the quantum realm. Additionally, the role of magnetic fields in accelerating electrons is questioned, and the relationship between electron wave compression and quantum kinetic energy is explored.
  • #1
brian.green
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What keep electrons move? I read somewhere that in q physics the kinetic energy of an electron mean how much the wave cloud is compressed. If the electron is part of an atom its wave is wide a smeared but if delocalized then its wave is small and its position much more exact.
But the electron can move/flow in a conductor. That's different moving? It has two kind of "moving"?
And this classical moving also constant, e- always move as a wave and as a particle too?
 
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  • #2
electron always move?
No. As an example, electrons in an atom do not move (with a few irrelevant exceptions). They have a kinetic energy, but this is nothing like motion in the classical sense.
But if they move, without an external force they will keep moving - what would stop them?
brian.green said:
I read somewhere that in q physics the kinetic energy of an electron mean how much the wave cloud is compressed.
That does not make sense.
brian.green said:
And this classical moving also constant, e- always move as a wave and as a particle too?
Electrons are quantum objects, they are neither wave nor particle, although those descriptions can be useful sometimes.
 
  • #3
mfb said:
But if they move, without an external force they will keep moving - what would stop them?

If we have a piece of metal, there is delocalized electrons on its surface. These electrons are moving or not? If moving then radiating EM energy and loose kinetic energy, finally stop moving. This would stop them.
But if not move how can the changing magnetic field accelerate them? So called circular current induced but how? They are rest and cannot sense magnetic force.

And there is the explanation (first answer) of electron wave compression and quantum kinetic energy what I said:
https://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1195
 
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  • #4
brian.green said:
If we have a piece of metal, there is delocalized electrons on its surface.
Not only there.
brian.green said:
These electrons are moving or not?
They can, it depends on the setup.
brian.green said:
If moving then radiating EM energy
Not if they move in a straight line, neglecting collisions with defects.
brian.green said:
But if not move how can the changing magnetic field accelerate them? So called circular current induced but how? They are rest and cannot sense magnetic force.
The classical picture doesn't work well here. They have a momentum distribution, and the magnetic field acts on this distribution.
brian.green said:
nd there is the explanation (first answer) of electron wave compression and quantum kinetic energy what I said:
That is not what you said. A more localized electron has a larger spread in momentum, it does not need to have a larger momentum. Turning that around makes it even worse, because a large momentum or even a large spread in momentum tells us nothing about the localization in space.
 

1. What is the nature of electrons?

Electrons are subatomic particles that have both wave-like and particle-like properties. This means that they can behave as both a wave and a particle at the same time, depending on the experimental conditions.

2. How do electrons move?

Electrons move in a wave-like manner when they are not being observed or measured. This means that they do not have a specific location, but rather exist as a probability distribution around an atom's nucleus. When they are observed or measured, they behave as particles with a specific location and momentum.

3. What is the relationship between electrons and energy?

Electrons are carriers of energy and can exist in different energy levels or orbitals around an atom's nucleus. They can absorb or release energy in the form of photons when transitioning between these energy levels.

4. How do electrons interact with other particles?

Electrons have an electric charge and can interact with other particles that have an electric charge, such as protons and other electrons. They can also interact with particles through the electromagnetic force.

5. Can electrons exist in different states?

Electrons can exist in different states, such as spin states, which refer to the direction of their spin. They can also exist in different energy states, as mentioned before, and can be in a superposition of states when not observed.

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