Movement of protons between orbital bands in the nucleus

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothetical movement of protons between orbital bands in the nucleus, comparing their behavior to that of electrons. Participants clarify that protons are bound to the nucleus by the strong nuclear force, while electrons are influenced by electromagnetic forces, making such hypothetical scenarios impossible. The conversation also touches on the concepts of valence and conduction bands, emphasizing that these terms do not apply to protons within the nucleus. Ultimately, the consensus is that protons cannot exhibit the same orbital movements as electrons due to their significant mass difference and binding forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and forces, specifically strong nuclear force and electromagnetic force
  • Knowledge of valence and conduction bands in solid-state physics
  • Familiarity with quasiparticles, particularly electron holes
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics related to particle behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the strong nuclear force and its implications on proton behavior
  • Study the differences between valence and conduction bands in semiconductors
  • Explore the concept of quasiparticles and their role in solid-state physics
  • Investigate quantum mechanics principles that govern particle interactions and movements
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in atomic structure and particle physics will benefit from this discussion.

SLSPS
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TL;DR
What would happen if the protons started to have orbital movements with energy gain and loss, changing orbital bands, at the same time as the electrons?
What would happen if the protons started to have orbital movements with energy gain and loss, changing orbital bands, at the same time as the electrons?
 
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All kinds of things. What is this about ?
 
SLSPS said:
orbital movements
Orbital movements where?

SLSPS said:
changing orbital bands
What orbital bands?
 
BvU said:
All kinds of things. What is this about ?
c
BvU said:
All kinds of things. What is this about ?
About changing permitted to prohibited bands. The valence and conduction bands. What I really wanted to know was whether the proton could play the role of the electron in that sense. If it would be possible.
 
I am sort of guessing at what you are asking.
Protons are bound to the nucleus by the strong nuclear force. Electrons are bound to the atom by electromagnetic forces. So no.
There are holes which are a positive charge carrying quasiparticle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_hole
 
GOT IT. EVEN THINKING ABOUT A CRAZY HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION: IMAGINE AN ATOM IN WHICH WHO WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE NUCLEUS WOULD BE THE ELECTRON AND WHO WOULD BE ORBITING ARE THE PROTONS. COULD ALL PHENOMENA OF CHANGING ORBITS THROUGH GAIN OR LOSS OF ENERGY, OR EVEN THE "ELECTRIC" PHOTO EFFECT OCCUR IN PROTON?
 
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SLSPS said:
GOT IT. EVEN THINKING ABOUT A CRAZY HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION: IMAGINE AN ATOM IN WHICH WHO WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE NUCLEUS WOULD BE THE ELECTRON AND WHO WOULD BE ORBITING ARE THE PROTONS. COULD ALL PHENOMENA OF CHANGING ORBITS THROUGH GAIN OR LOSS OF ENERGY, OR EVEN THE "ELECTRIC" PHOTO EFFECT OCCUR IN PROTON?
Electrons do not feel the strong nuclear force so you could not create a nucleus.
 
SLSPS said:
GOT IT. EVEN THINKING ABOUT A CRAZY HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION: IMAGINE AN ATOM IN WHICH WHO WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE NUCLEUS WOULD BE THE ELECTRON AND WHO WOULD BE ORBITING ARE THE PROTONS. COULD ALL PHENOMENA OF CHANGING ORBITS THROUGH GAIN OR LOSS OF ENERGY, OR EVEN THE "ELECTRIC" PHOTO EFFECT OCCUR IN PROTON?
Please do not post in all capital letters in discussion forums like PF. It is considered yelling -- check your "Caps Lock" key status and turn it off.
 
SLSPS said:
About changing permitted to prohibited bands. The valence and conduction bands.
What valence and conduction bands are you talking about? Protons are in the nucleus. There are no valence and conduction bands in the nucleus.
 
  • #10
@SLSPS your crazy hypothetical situation that you put in all caps is impossible. Protons are 1836 times as massive as electrons. That's why electrons move about in things like metals and do chemical bonding and protons don't.
 
  • #11
thank you my friend
 
  • #12
A bunch of generally well-intentioned but off-topic posts have been removed. The Feedback forum is the right place for public discussion about PF norms when responding to ill-constructed posts
 
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