Photon-proton/ proton-electron interactions

[Imabuleva]

i still don't understand how the whole atom is excited when its just one electron rising a shell then dropping a shell once it releases the photon. the atom doesn't change just the electron.
thanks :D

I just wanted to add my two cents. Think about this classically as if you were to jump in the air. Is it the earth-you system that is in an excited, unstable state while you are in the air? Or is it just you that is in an excited state?

Remember that due to Newton's third law when you fall to the earth, the Earth also falls to you; that is, the earth-you system collapses back into the unexcited state it was in before you jumped.

 

[jtbell]

Welcome to Physics Forums, Imabuleva!

I suggest that before you respond to a post, that you look at the date on it, especially if you found it via a Google search or forum search. The post that you responded to is more than nine years old.

 

[Imabuleva]

Hi, jitbell.

I replied because the topic is extremely interesting. I apologize that it's old.