What force prevents electrons from falling into the nucleus?

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    Electron Inertia
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces that prevent electrons from falling into the nucleus of an atom. Participants explore concepts related to charge interactions, orbital mechanics, and quantum behavior, questioning classical analogies and the nature of electron movement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what force keeps electrons apart from the positively charged nucleus, suggesting a possible analogy to celestial orbits.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of Fermi pressure as a potential explanation for the behavior of electrons.
  • There is a challenge to the classical view of electrons "orbiting" the nucleus, with a participant stating that classical physics does not apply to particles at such small scales.
  • Concerns are raised about the randomness of electron movement and its implications for their proximity to the nucleus over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of classical physics to electron behavior, with no consensus reached on the mechanisms preventing electrons from falling into the nucleus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in classical analogies when describing quantum phenomena, and the assumptions underlying the proposed explanations remain unresolved.

Tim Edilation
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101 question, probably could find out by doing research but had luck on this forum on another topic, so ...

If electrons have 'negative' charge and nucleus is 'positive' what force keeps them apart ? Is it just a matter of them sort of 'orbiting' like the moon around the Earth where 'falling' at same rate as G or 'centripetal' force same as G ? I got the impression that the electrons move about with some randomness which I would have thought would mean that on closer approaches to nucleus would over time cause electron to fall down to nucleus. ?? Thanks for any insight
 
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Tim Edilation said:
101 question, probably could find out by doing research but had luck on this forum on another topic, so ...

If electrons have 'negative' charge and nucleus is 'positive' what force keeps them apart ? Is it just a matter of them sort of 'orbiting' like the moon around the Earth where 'falling' at same rate as G or 'centripetal' force same as G ? I got the impression that the electrons move about with some randomness which I would have thought would mean that on closer approaches to nucleus would over time cause electron to fall down to nucleus. ?? Thanks for any insight

Please start by reading the FAQ thread in the General Physics forum.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Please start by reading the FAQ thread in the General Physics forum.

Zz.

Thanks, I don't know how i didn't see that, sorry
 
Tim Edilation said:
101 question, probably could find out by doing research but had luck on this forum on another topic, so ...

If electrons have 'negative' charge and nucleus is 'positive' what force keeps them apart ?

Fermi pressure

Is it just a matter of them sort of 'orbiting' like the moon around the Earth where 'falling' at same rate as G or 'centripetal' force same as G ? I got the impression that the electrons move about with some randomness which I would have thought would mean that on closer approaches to nucleus would over time cause electron to fall down to nucleus. ?? Thanks for any insight

No. When you are talking about particles that small, classical physics doesn't make sense. The electron doesn't "orbit" around the nucleus in the classical sense of the word.
 

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