Is the Net Charge of a Hydrogen Atom the Same in Excited State vs Ground State?

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SUMMARY

The net charge of a hydrogen atom remains zero regardless of whether the electron is in an excited state or the ground state. This is due to the balance of the positive charge from the nucleus and the negative charge from the electron. The only way to alter the charge of the atom is through ionization, which removes the electron entirely. Charge and energy are distinct physical concepts with no direct correlation in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure, specifically hydrogen atoms
  • Basic knowledge of ionization processes
  • Familiarity with concepts of charge and energy in physics
  • Knowledge of electron states (ground and excited states)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of ionization in hydrogen atoms
  • Study the differences between ground state and excited state in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the principles of charge conservation in atomic physics
  • Learn about energy levels and transitions in hydrogen using the Bohr model
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching atomic theory, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of atoms and their behavior in different energy states.

jimmylegss
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if in a hydrogen atom the electron is in a excited state, is the net charge the same vs ground state? what is the difference between charge and energy here?
thx
 
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The total charge of a hydrogen atom with one electron is zero: plus one from the nucleus, minus one from the electron. The state of the electron does not matter. To change the charge, you have to ionize the atom.

Charge and energy have nothing more in common than "those are two physical concepts".
 

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