Energy Eigenstates: Can Electron in Hydrogen Atom?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether an electron in a hydrogen atom can exist in an energy eigenstate, particularly focusing on the conditions under which this might occur, including considerations of isolation and measurement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the phrasing of the original query and introduces the idea that hydrogen atoms typically do not exist in isolation, as they often couple to form diatomic molecules, which complicates the concept of energy eigenstates.
  • Another participant clarifies that they intended to ask if an electron can exist in a single orbital alone, expressing uncertainty about the clarity of their question.
  • It is suggested that an electron can occupy any energy level it chooses, implying a degree of freedom in its state.
  • One participant asserts that if a hydrogen atom is isolated and a measurement of the electron's energy is made, the electron will be in an energy eigenstate post-measurement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which an electron can be considered to be in an energy eigenstate, with no clear consensus reached on the implications of isolation and measurement.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of energy eigenstates in different contexts (isolated atom vs. molecular interactions) and the implications of measurement on the state of the electron.

ralqs
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Can an electron in a hydrogen atom every been in an energy eigenstate?
 
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Well, I'm trying to get something from your inaccurate English wording and give you this answer: typically, it's very unlikely to meet a single, isolated H-atom. Usually H-atoms, when more than 1, tend to couple with each other and form a diatomic stable molecule. The energy eigenstates (point spectrum) of the single atom are not energy eigenstates of the molecular Hamiltonian anymore. What chemists call the sigma covalent bond between the 2 H atoms is not that strong and this molecule can react with other molecules, when certain exterior (pressure & temperature) conditions are met.
 
Sorry about my english. I had meant to ask whether an electron in a hydrogen atom can *ever* be in an energy eigenstate ie whether an electron can exist in a single orbital alone. Ifr the question still doesn't make sense, then I've probably gone and confused myself about something...
 
The electron is only one, so it can occupy any energy level it wants to.
 
Well, if you take a Hydrogen atom, isolated from everything else (in terms of interaction) and then measure the electron's energy, it will be in an energy eigenstate after the measurement.
 

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