Energy levels in a potential well

[physmile]

I know this question seems very simple which is why its bugging me so much:
Why is the ground state energy not zero?
A simple answer would be greatly appreciated

 

[torehan]

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I know this question seems very simple which is why its bugging me so much:
Why is the ground state energy not zero?
A simple answer would be greatly appreciated

Energy states are defined with principle quantum number (n). n= 1,2,3...

E_{n}= \frac{-me^{4}}{2h^{2}n^{2}}

"Ground state" means 1st term in serie of "n" and it's 1.

You may ask, why doesn't "n" start from zero? When you put 0 for n, energy goes to infinite and that mean electron separated from atom. That's why n doesn't start from zero.


And finally your question, there is allways a energy in an atom because of the Coloumb potential. The energy never been zero.

 

[2Tesla]

Only changes in energy are physical. You can define the ground state of any particular system to have zero energy.

 

[physmile]

Thank you very much for your help torehan!