Trying to understand electron orbitals

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the understanding of electron orbitals, specifically focusing on the process of electron absorption of photons and the dynamics involved in energy level transitions. Participants explore concepts related to quantum mechanics, including the nature of these transitions and the equations governing electron behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe the electron's absorption of a photon as resulting in a change of orbital that corresponds to the photon's energy, questioning whether this process is instantaneous.
  • There is a suggestion that the absorption process is instantaneous due to the lack of intermediate states, as stated in introductory quantum mechanics texts.
  • One participant raises a question about whether an atom occupies more space as energy levels increase.
  • Another participant argues against the notion of a "quantum leap," stating that the electron does not have a definite path or state until measured, and uses an analogy of water waves to illustrate the complexity of transitions.
  • The Schrödinger equation is mentioned as the primary equation describing the dynamics of electron orbitals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the absorption process, with some asserting it is instantaneous while others challenge this notion by emphasizing the lack of defined trajectories for electrons. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the instantaneous nature of transitions and the implications of quantum mechanics on electron behavior.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding assumptions about the nature of quantum states, the interpretation of instantaneous transitions, and the dependence on definitions of energy levels and orbital dynamics.

dsaun777
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I'm having trouble understanding this process. The electron is absorbing the photon and has a changed orbital corresponding exactly to the photons energy. During the absorption the electron "jumps" energy levels, Is this process instantaneous? What are the equations that describe dynamics of electron orbitals?
 
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dsaun777 said:
I'm having trouble understanding this process. The electron is absorbing the photon and has a changed orbital corresponding exactly to the photons energy. During the absorption the electron "jumps" energy levels, Is this process instantaneous?
This is not my area of expertise but since there is no in-between state I'd assume it has to be instantaneous.

What are the equations that describe dynamics of electron orbitals?
That's beyond my knowledge but I'm sure someone here will answer it.
 
does an atom occupy more space as the energy levels increase?
 
According to quantum mechanics, the absorption process is instantaneous. Introductory quantum mechanics textbooks describe it as a perturbation in the electric potential that is oscillating. Then the transition probabilities are derived. The process is understood to be instantaneous as 'middle' states are not a solution of Schrödinger equation, so not allowed. Anyway, the absorption must occur in packets multiple of photon energy.

The equations that describe the dynamics of electron orbitals are only one, the Schrödinger equation.
 
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In stardard quantum mechanics, the electron does not have a definite path or state until it is measured.

There is no such thing as a quantum leap because it implicitly assumes that we would know the trajectory of the electron. Therefore, we cannot say if the transition is instantaneous or not.

An analogous process is water waves in two pools which are connected by a narrow channel. We splash the water in one pool to make waves. The waves gradually travel through the channel also to the other pool.

We have sensors in the other pool which can observe a wave and absorb it, so that the water is almost still again.

A sensor beeps that it has observed a wave. What "path" did that wave take to the other pool? Obviously, it had to travel through the channel. But before entering the channel, the configuration was complex and we cannot point a specific trajectory for the wave.
 
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