Free electron path without a nearby proton

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SUMMARY

A free electron, such as one emitted from an electron gun in deep space, exhibits quantum behavior distinct from that of electrons bound to protons. In the absence of a positive electric field, the electron's behavior is governed by Schrödinger's equation, which indicates that while it lacks discrete energy levels, it possesses a continuous spectrum of energy states. The principles of quantum mechanics, including position/momentum uncertainty and quantized spin, remain applicable, allowing for phenomena such as interference patterns in double-slit experiments.

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  • Understanding of Schrödinger's equation
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics principles
  • Knowledge of wave functions and eigenvalues
  • Concept of position/momentum uncertainty
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  • Study the implications of continuous energy spectra in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the concept of wave functions in free particles
  • Investigate the double-slit experiment with free electrons
  • Learn about the mathematical complexities of unbound states in quantum systems
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Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the behavior of free electrons and their implications in quantum theory.

Tareq Naushad
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TL;DR
Quantum properties of an free electron outside atom
In absence of a positive electric field created by proton what type of behavior an electron shows? I am talking about a free electron like from a electron gun in deep space . Pauli's exclusion, orbitals, energy level etc. which are normal in an atom for electron will be absent for an electron out from an atom. So what type of quantum behavior it shows then ?
 
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It still has quantized spin and charge.
 
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thanks. what about its allowable energy level, uncertainty of position, momentum etc. because now it is not governed by the field of +ve proton
 
Tareq Naushad said:
what about its allowable energy level, uncertainty of position, momentum etc. because now it is not governed by the field of +ve proton
We're still solving Schrödinger's equation to find the wave function. Schrödinger's equation includes a term for the potential, which will be the Coulomb potential for an electron near a proton (whether bound or not) and zero for an isolated (and therefore obviously unbound) electron in vacuum.

The bound states will have discrete eigenvalues. The unbound ones will have a continuous spectrum (although there are some mathematical complications here that we can ignore for now) quantum mechanics still works: position/momentum uncertainty still works, Schrödinger's equation governs the evolution of the wave function, we can even in principle do a double-slit experiment with a beam of free electrons and produce an interference pattern.
 
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