Why Don't Electrons Stick to the Nucleus Despite Opposite Charges?

AI Thread Summary
Electrons do not stick to the positively charged nucleus despite their opposite charges due to the principles of quantum mechanics. Electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus, creating a stable arrangement that prevents them from collapsing into the nucleus. The concept of quantized energy levels means that electrons can only exist at certain distances from the nucleus, where they maintain a balance between attractive forces and their inherent kinetic energy. Additionally, as electrons move in their orbits, they do experience acceleration, but this does not require a continuous input of energy due to the nature of their quantum states. The stability of these orbits is maintained by the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern the behavior of subatomic particles.
nathaniell
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Hey people,

I have beeno wondering this for a while:

If the nucleus of an atom is positively charged and the electrons are negatively charged, why don't the electrons stick to the nucleus like a magnet, why do they only have a certain distance between themselves.

If the electrons are constantly rotating around the nucleus, this means that a change in direction would cause an accelartion of the electrons. For something to accelerate it needs energy or a force. Where does this energy comes from and why it is not extinguised over the time
:rolleyes:
 
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nathaniell said:
Hey people,

I have beeno wondering this for a while:

If the nucleus of an atom is positively charged and the electrons are negatively charged, why don't the electrons stick to the nucleus like a magnet, why do they only have a certain distance between themselves.

If the electrons are constantly rotating around the nucleus, this means that a change in direction would cause an accelartion of the electrons. For something to accelerate it needs energy or a force. Where does this energy comes from and why it is not extinguised over the time
:rolleyes:

I guess the reason that (negative) electrons will not stick to the (positive) nucleus is because between the nucleus and the electrons, there actually exists a strong 'force' that prevents the electrons from sticking to the nucleus. Another reason will be that elecrons orbit around the nucleus in electron shells. So, there is no way that the electrons will stick on the nucleus.
 

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