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nuby
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Is it possible to accelerate an atom (i.e. hydrogen), and have the force from acceleration overcome the binding force (between proton and electron), and ionize the hydrogen atom?
nuby said:Is it possible to accelerate an atom (i.e. hydrogen), and have the force from acceleration overcome the binding force (between proton and electron), and ionize the hydrogen atom?
mordechai9 said:In response to redbelly, I do not think that ionization necessarily requires an electric field, at least, not directly. I would be pleased if you commented on the following example.
Assume you have an ultra tiny hammer, and you are able to aim it at the center of a hydrogen atom, so that you strike the nucleus with a higher probability then striking the electron. Then, in this case, if you strike the nucleus hard enough, you will indeed ionize the atom through a mechanical interaction. Hence no electric interaction is necessarily required.
nuby said:What about my other example: Can atoms become ionized in a centrifuge with a strong electric field on the centrifuge axis (with a positive or negative charge) (edit) .. Would the atoms become mroe polarized?
Ionization by acceleration refers to the process of atoms or molecules gaining or losing electrons through the acceleration of charged particles, such as electrons or protons. This acceleration can occur naturally in phenomena such as lightning or can be artificially induced in particle accelerators.
Ionization by acceleration occurs when a charged particle, such as an electron or proton, collides with an atom or molecule and transfers enough energy to either remove an electron from the atom or molecule, or excite the atom or molecule to a higher energy state. This results in the formation of ions, or charged particles.
Ionization by acceleration has a wide range of applications in various fields, including nuclear physics, medical imaging and treatments, and industrial processes. It is also used in the study of atmospheric and space physics, as well as in the development of new materials.
The amount of ionization by acceleration depends on several factors, such as the energy and type of the charged particle, the nature of the target atom or molecule, and the distance and angle of the collision. The density of the medium in which the collision occurs can also affect the ionization process.
Ionization by acceleration plays a crucial role in particle physics as it allows scientists to study the properties of subatomic particles and their interactions. By observing the ionization patterns resulting from particle collisions, researchers can gain valuable insights into the fundamental building blocks of the universe and their behavior.