How Does an Electric Field Affect the Stability of Gas Induced Dipoles?

AI Thread Summary
An evacuated glass tube containing mercury gas is examined under the influence of an electric field created by a cathode and a slightly negative collecting plate with a positive grid in between. The discussion centers on whether the mercury atoms will remain between the cathode and the positive grid due to induced dipoles. It is suggested that despite the neutrality of the mercury atoms, they may not be stable outside this region because the induced dipoles would lead them to seek areas of zero net electric field. The query also raises the question of how a neutral mercury atom can exhibit an electric dipole moment in the presence of an external electric field, prompting a discussion on the behavior of electrons in response to the field. Overall, the stability of gas atoms in an electric field is influenced by their induced dipole moments and the resulting forces acting on them.
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Lets say we have an evacuated glass tube. In that glass tube we have a gas of some atom say ... ooo... mercury. (i wonder this could be goin:wink: ) Also in that glass tube we have 2 plates at the end, one is a cathode and one is a coleting palte held only slightly negative while in between the two plates is a postiive grid.

My question is : the gas which fills the tube - will it remain betwee nthe cathode and the postiive grid? Why? Is it because despite the netrality of the atom, the atom will not be stable if it was located anywhere else in the tube 9because of induced dipoles)? Then the atom will locate itself to a location where the net electric field iis zero?
 
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Why would a mercury gas have an electric dipolar moment?
 
since there is a net electric field wouldn't the electrons of the mercury atom move to the side of the positive plate? Induced dipole??
 

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