Understanding Different Energy Types: A Comprehensive Guide

[Drakkith]

the energy of the atom (ie. the potential energy between electrons and protons, the kinetic energy of electrons, etc), will be transferred to the environment, because of the second thermodynamics law

that's why the atom will simply decay

any comment?

This is incorrect, the atom will not transfer it's energy into the environment simply because it is in it's ground state.

 

[mather]

This is incorrect, the atom will not transfer it's energy into the environment simply because it is in it's ground state.

how can the energy of a proton and an atom in infinite distance (thus zero potential energy and zero kinetic energy) be larger than the energy of the hydrogen atom (where there is potential energy and kinetic energy)?

 

[Drakkith]

how can the energy of a proton and an atom in infinite distance (thus zero potential energy and zero kinetic energy) be larger than the energy of the hydrogen atom (where there is potential energy and kinetic energy)?

If we separate a proton and an electron by a HUGE distance in an empty universe, they will have maximum potential energy. Upon coming together, this potential energy is released in the form of EM radiation and the atom now has less energy than the proton and electron did before.

 

[mather]

If we separate a proton and an electron by a HUGE distance in an empty universe, they will have maximum potential energy. Upon coming together, this potential energy is released in the form of EM radiation and the atom now has less energy than the proton and electron did before.

I think they won't be able to interact, if they are separated in such a huge distance

their electrostatic fields have some finite diameter, haven't they?

 

[Bobbywhy]

the energy of the atom (ie. the potential energy between electrons and protons, the kinetic energy of electrons, etc), will be transferred to the environment, because of the second thermodynamics law

that's why the atom will simply decay

mather, when you make statements like the above you must be prepared to provide some accepted sicientific evidence. In this case, you have provided none, only your own statement, "because of the second thermodynamics law." But that's not enough. You must explain the mechanism or process.

Cheers,
Bobbywhy

 

[Drakkith]

I think they won't be able to interact, if they are separated in such a huge distance

their electrostatic fields have some finite diameter, haven't they?

No, the EM field has infinite range.

 

[mather]

If we separate a proton and an electron by a HUGE distance in an empty universe, they will have maximum potential energy.

this is wrong:

potential energy is inversely (and not directly) dependent upon distance

so in a distance near infinite, the potential energy will nears zero

isn't, then, there, a point where the potential energy will be less than the energy of a possible interaction?

 

[nasu]

this is wrong:

potential energy is inversely (and not directly) dependent upon distance

so in a distance near infinite, the potential energy will nears zero

isn't, then, there, a point where the potential energy will be less than the energy of a possible interaction?

You should be more careful with your labels of "wrong".
The fact that the potential energy is zero at infinite is a matter of choosing the reference point but it is the usual choice . The fact that it decreases when the distance decreases is independent of the reference point. Then how can the zero value be a maximum? What values are less than zero?

 

[Dadface]

this is wrong:

It is not wrong. For attracting particles the greater the separation the greater the potential energy. You may be getting this mixed up with potential which by convention is taken to be zero at an infinite separation.

 

[mather]

It is not wrong. For attracting particles the greater the separation the greater the potential energy. You may be getting this mixed up with potential which by convention is taken to be zero at an infinite separation.

I am talking about electrostatic potential energy:

 

[nasu]

I am talking about electrostatic potential energy:

Everyone here does too, I suppose.
Not put q1=e and q2=-e.
What happens with W when r decreases?

 

[mather]

okay, but doesn't this prove you wrong?

 

[nasu]

I suppose you forgot your own words:

I am talking about electrostatic potential energy:

Your plot does not show that.

 

[mather]

I suppose you forgot your own words:



Your plot does not show that.

you mean that dissociation energy has nothing to do with electrostatical potential energy?

 

[nasu]

you mean that dissociation energy has nothing to do with electrostatical potential energy?

"has nothing to do" is a little too vague.
Let's put it this way: the Morse potential is not the electrostatic potential mentioned in your previous post. It contains a repulsive term which becomes very large at close approach. This term is not part of the electrostatic potential energy.
The distinction between the attractive, electrostatic, term and the repulsive terms is easier to see if you look at another common potential function, the Lenard-Jones potential.

However the energy at large distance (infinite) is higher than the energy in the bound state (minimum of the potential).
What was actually the problem?