I have a quick question about Photons

[HawkI]

When an electron passes from one atom to another is a photon emitted?

 

[rolotomassi]

I don't know what you mean by passes to another atom. When an electron make a transition from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, within the atom, then it emits a photon. This photon an energy which is equal to the different of energies between the 2 levels.

 

[rumborak]

rolotomassi, electrons are exchanged between atoms during chemical processes.

No, as a general rule, photons are not necessary part of an atom-to-atom transport of an electron. The energies involved can be all just be heat energy.

 

[stedwards]

rolotomassi, electrons are exchanged between atoms during chemical processes.

No, as a general rule, photons are not necessary part of an atom-to-atom transport of an electron. The energies involved can be all just be heat energy.

This energy is manifest as phonons and photons.

 

[rumborak]

Phonons aren't photons. The OP question is whether every atom-to-atom transfer involves an emitted photon. It doesn't.

 

[phion]

Phonons are an emergent phenomena, kind of like a wave in a bathtub. Since an electron is being emitted, I think it would suffice to say that a photon had just been absorbed by an atom, not emitted.

 

[stedwards]

Phonons aren't photons. The OP question is whether every atom-to-atom transfer involves an emitted photon. It doesn't.

How about that, hu? Yet you were referencing both.

 

[PeterDonis]

Thread closed for moderation.

 

[PeterDonis]

This thread will remain closed. Hawki, if you can frame a more specific question that clearly states what physical scenario you are interested in ("electron passes from one atom to another" is too vague and general), please feel free to start a new thread.