Are Electrons Photons Stuck in Atom's Nucleus?

In summary, electrons and photons are both wave-like particles that are attracted to the nucleus of an atom. However, they have several differences and electrons do not orbit the nucleus. High energy photons can produce an electron and positron, but photons do not have mass and cannot be under centripetal force. The movement of electrons around the nucleus is not defined in quantum mechanics and is not equivalent to classical motion.
  • #1
nuby
336
0
Are electrons actually just photons that are stuck in the orbit of an atom's nucleus?

Both photons and electrons are considered wave like particles, both are attracted to the nucleus of an atom, when an atom absorbs a photons energy it interacts with electrons,

Would a photon under centripetal force have more mass, like electrons?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
nuby said:
Are electrons actually just photons
No. There are several differences between photons and electrons, though high energy photons can produce an electron and positron.

that are stuck in the orbit of an atom's nucleus?
Electrons DO NOT ORBIT the nucleus. If they orbited, the acceleration of the charge would produce photons making the electrons lose energy and fall to the nucleus.
 
  • #3
nuby said:
Are electrons actually just photons that are stuck in the orbit of an atom's nucleus?
Not at all. Why do they give them a different name, then? Do you think that they wouldn't have noticed in almost a century? And what about electrons outside the atom?
Both photons and electrons are considered wave like particles, both are attracted to the nucleus of an atom
Not at all, photons are NOT attracted to the nucleus, they are not attracted to anything.
, when an atom absorbs a photons energy it interacts with electrons,

Would a photon under centripetal force have more mass, like electrons?
A photon cannot be under centripetal force but nontheless can be confined inside a finite region of space; then that region of space do really acquire a mass, equal to E/c^2 where E = photon's energy.
 
  • #4
yourdadonapogostick said:
No. There are several differences between photons and electrons, though high energy photons can produce an electron and positron.

Electrons DO NOT ORBIT the nucleus. If they orbited, the acceleration of the charge would produce photons making the electrons lose energy and fall to the nucleus.
Interesting ... How does a high energy photon create an electron and positron, do you have a link?How would you describe an electrons movement around an atoms nucleus? (in 2 sentences)
 
  • #5
nuby said:
How would you describe an electrons movement around an atoms nucleus? (in 2 sentences)

The electrons are in stationary states --- there is no change in their probability distribution with time. Motion, especially trajectory, is not a defined concept in quantum mechanics.
 
  • #6
genneth said:
Motion, especially trajectory, is not a defined concept in quantum mechanics.

At least not for a stationary state. For something like a non-stationary wave packet, you can think of d<x>/dt as corresponding to the classical velocity. I think I remember once calculating m d<x>/dt and <p> explicitly for a Gaussian wave packet to show that they're the same.

But even that only describes the motion of the packet as a whole, not the "actual" motion of the particle "inside" the packet.
 

1. What is the relationship between electrons and photons within an atom's nucleus?

The relationship between electrons and photons within an atom's nucleus is that electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the positively charged nucleus, while photons are particles of electromagnetic energy that can be emitted or absorbed by electrons as they change energy levels within the atom.

2. Are electrons and photons physically stuck within the nucleus of an atom?

No, electrons and photons are not physically stuck within the nucleus of an atom. Electrons orbit the nucleus at specific energy levels, while photons can travel throughout the atom and can even be emitted from the atom's outermost energy level.

3. Can electrons and photons be separated from an atom's nucleus?

Yes, electrons and photons can be separated from an atom's nucleus. Electrons can be removed from an atom through processes such as ionization, while photons can be emitted from the atom through processes like spontaneous emission or stimulated emission.

4. How do electrons and photons interact within an atom's nucleus?

Electrons and photons interact within an atom's nucleus through the exchange of energy. When an electron changes energy levels, it can emit or absorb a photon. Additionally, photons can interact with electrons through processes like absorption and emission spectroscopy.

5. Can electrons and photons leave an atom's nucleus and travel independently?

Yes, electrons and photons can leave an atom's nucleus and travel independently. As mentioned before, electrons can be removed from an atom, and photons can be emitted from the atom through various processes. Both particles can then continue to travel through space separately.

Similar threads

Replies
54
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
21
Views
961
Replies
1
Views
228
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
747
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
2
Views
958
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
558
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
5
Views
736
Back
Top