I On the necessary conditions to form the hydrogen molecule

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The discussion centers on the formation of the hydrogen molecule (H2) from two hydrogen atoms, questioning whether a third body is necessary for energy release during the process. Participants debate the role of symmetry in preventing the formation of H2 during isolated collisions, with references to a webinar by Professor Eduardo Montenegro that suggests symmetry principles may inhibit this reaction. The conversation highlights that while H2 formation is common in laboratory conditions, the specific scenario of two neutral hydrogen atoms colliding in a vacuum may not lead to molecule formation due to energy conservation issues. There is also mention of alternative routes for H2 formation, including the potential involvement of other physical systems like dust. Overall, the necessity of a third body and the implications of symmetry in molecular formation remain key points of contention.
  • #31
Thank you very much, DrClaude. I also apologize to you for not having organized the text of the question as it should have, with the appropriate references in English.

This phenomenon reminds me of another one, which was studied by Serge Haroche (Nobel Prize winner), namely, the suppression of a given electronic transition in an atom whose electron is in an excited state, when it is placed in front of a mirror, at a given distance.
 
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  • #32
DaTario said:
This phenomenon reminds me of another one, which was studied by Serge Haroche (Nobel Prize winner), namely, the suppression of a given electronic transition in an atom whose electron is in an excited state, when it is placed in front of a mirror, at a given distance.
That is slightly different in that it is due to the electromagnetic field inside the cavity not having a mode corresponding to the energy of the transition in the atom (so it is a property of the field, not the atom). But it all stems from the same physical framework, namely quantum electrodynamics.
 
  • #33
Yes, I understand there are differences, but I 'always' found interesting the metaphorical idea that particles are like 1 and fields are like 0,99999... :smile:

In a certain sense, although they propagate differently, the wave function of the atom and the EM field have some degree of correspondence, haven't they?

OBS.: Perhaps it is not appropriate here to conduct a discussion that departs from the original.
 
  • #34

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