Newbie question please about electrons and light

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of electrons in various contexts, particularly in static electricity and the photoelectric effect. The user describes generating static electricity by rubbing a balloon against a jumper, leading to questions about electron excitation and photon emission. They also explore concepts of dark matter and its potential influence on the speed of light, questioning the constancy of light in the presence of such matter. The conversation highlights the complexities of electron behavior and the implications of quantum mechanics on our understanding of light and gravity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity and electron transfer
  • Familiarity with the photoelectric effect as explained by Einstein
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and photon behavior
  • Concept of dark matter and its implications in astrophysics
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  • Study the principles of static electricity and electron mobility
  • Learn about the photoelectric effect and its applications in modern physics
  • Research the role of dark matter in cosmology and its effects on light
  • Explore advanced topics in quantum mechanics, including the nature of photons and energy quantization
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Students of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental behaviors of electrons, light, and the implications of dark matter in the universe.

calamero
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Hello after reading about what happens when a single electron is passed through a double slit experiment I've been reading a lot to learn more about electrons and atoms and found this forum and would be grateful if someone can answer a couple of questions i have please

Ive learned that if i rub my jumper off a balloon i can create static electricity...They say that this happens because i actually excite the loose electrons from the outer orbit of the balloons atom till they jump/pass over to the spare "holes" in my jumpers atoms outer orbits...ie i cause an electron hole pair i think

ok then i read that Einstein explained that the photoelectric effect happens by light landing on metal and that lights photons pass thru the metals atoms and the photons hit electrons which excite the electrons on the outer orbit so causing them to increase there orbits radius...then he said that once those exited electrons lose this extra energy they emit photons themselves,so backing up plankks idea of quanta...my question is ,is that the same thing that happens when i rub my jumper against the balloon?..ie photons exiting electrons till electrons lose energy/photons again?...i thought it was heat that caused the static from the balloon or is that the same thing really?

Also I've read that galaxys don't behave like ours does ie..the planets in our solar system orbit the sun at different /orbits/speeds depending on the planets distance/mass ie..gravity..
yet its been observed that planets orbiting distant stars all orbit the star at the same speed regardless of there mass so rather than say gravity behaves differently in different parts of space scientists came up with the idea that there must be other matter out there in space causing these changes...they call this stuff dark matter...if there is such a thing then surely the speed of light is also impeded by this dark matter so will they have to recalculate lights speed as I've read that light speed is calculated to be constant in free space but if there's now dark matter that influences distant planets then it must affect light as well and scientists do maths using constants such as light in free space?

just had a thought about that there too ..if light is not constant but quantasised energy ie it pulses then maybe something can travel faster than light if the thing that's traveling is constant and not pulsing on and off like light is said to do? ...in theory that is
i do understand that as u approach the speed of light then your mass gets heavier and time slows down...does that also apply to light itself too?...is that what a photon is matter condensed to energy?

ill enjoy reading everything here as i want to understand electrons I am beginning to think electrons "know" stuff ie they possesses history

calamero
 
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I strongly suggest that you browse through the forums on PF first and see if some of your answers and misinformation might be answered already. You might start with our FAQ in the General Physics forum.

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