Collision of Electrons: What Happens to Incident Electron?

[chanderjeet]

when an electron collides with another, say a hydrogen electron, when the hydrogen electron is promoted, what happens to the incident electron?

 

[mathman]

It probably just goes off into space with a different velocity.

 

[charng]

When two electrons collide, there are a few possible outcomes depending on the specific conditions of the collision. In the case of an incident electron colliding with a hydrogen electron and promoting it, the incident electron may either continue on its original path with a slight change in direction, or it may transfer some of its energy to the hydrogen electron and be deflected or scattered in a different direction. This transfer of energy can also result in the incident electron being absorbed by the hydrogen atom, causing it to become excited and potentially emit a photon as it returns to its ground state. The exact outcome of the collision depends on factors such as the relative velocities and charges of the two electrons, as well as the distance between them. Studying these collisions can provide valuable insights into the behavior and properties of electrons and atoms.