What is the maximal velocity of atoms with at least one electron?

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SUMMARY

The maximal velocity of atoms with at least one electron can approach 0.7 times the speed of light (0.7c), as demonstrated by experiments at CERN and Fermilab using negative hydrogen ions accelerated to hundreds of MeV. These experiments utilize beam injection linacs, which strip electrons from ions for high-energy acceleration. While the discussion highlights that the number of electrons does not directly affect atomic velocity, it raises questions about the mechanisms behind electron loss during acceleration. Further exploration of both terrestrial and astronomical data on atomic velocities is warranted.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle acceleration techniques, specifically beam injection linacs.
  • Familiarity with high-energy physics concepts, including MeV (mega-electronvolts) and gamma factors.
  • Knowledge of atomic structure, particularly the role of electrons in ionized atoms.
  • Basic comprehension of relativistic physics, especially the implications of approaching the speed of light.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the operational principles of beam injection linacs at CERN and Fermilab.
  • Investigate the effects of ionization on atomic velocity in high-energy physics experiments.
  • Explore cosmic ray data to compare velocities of naturally occurring high-energy atoms.
  • Study the mechanisms of electron loss in ionized atoms during acceleration processes.
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Physicists, researchers in high-energy particle physics, and anyone interested in the dynamics of atomic velocities and ionization processes.

new_r
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Hello,
I am looking what maximal velocity was reached for some atoms
which have at least 1 electron.
It can be ionized atoms, but still must have at least one electron.
Thank you.
 
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Very close to the speed of light, but I don't know how close.
 
Gordianus said:
Very close to the speed of light, but I don't know how close.

Thank you for your answer and sorry for my English.
But I still doubt it was ever exceeded 0.1 - 0.5 c.
Maybe I am wrong. Could you support with some sources?
Thank you.
 
Last edited:
It would first help to know if you are looking for a velocity achieved here on Earth or if astronomical sources count.

I don't know if they are the fastest ions on earth, but beam injection linacs at CERN or Fermilab routinely use beams of negative hydrogen ions in the hundreds of MeV range before stripping all the electrons off for acceleration to High Energy. (see e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tevatron) That only corresponds to a gamma of about 1.5, or about 0.7 times the speed of light. It's quite possible that someone has run an experiment with faster ions, I just don't know of one off the top of my head.
 
krysith said:
It would first help to know if you are looking for a velocity achieved here on Earth or if astronomical sources count.

Yes, on Earth. But if you have astronomical data it would be interesting also.
Thank you
 
krysith said:
beam injection linacs at CERN or Fermilab routinely use beams of negative hydrogen ions in the hundreds of MeV range before stripping all the electrons off for acceleration to High Energy.

I forget to ask about why atoms lost electrons?
 
I don't think the number of electron would effect the velocity of atom. Did you mean this way?

Any way, high energy "atoms" were observed on earth. Also, the only cosmic moving atoms were known to be alpha rays.(we can accelrt our atom far more faster than cosmic alpha ray :D)
 
Black Integra said:
I don't think the number of electron would effect the velocity of atom. Did you mean this way?

No, but if we have only 0.7c atoms with at least one electron
must be some mechanism/reason why or how they lost electrons for future acceleration?
 

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