High School What occurs when electrons stop orbiting the nucleus?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of electrons ceasing to orbit the nucleus of an atom. It is established that electrons exist in quantized energy states, not in traditional orbits, and can be ionized by providing sufficient energy to free them from the atom. When an electron is removed, the atom becomes an ion. Additionally, interactions involving high-energy photons or electrons can lead to the ionization of atoms, which is a common occurrence in stellar environments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and energy eigenstates
  • Familiarity with the Schrödinger equation
  • Knowledge of ionization processes and high-energy interactions
  • Basic concepts of atomic structure, including protons, neutrons, and electrons
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Schrödinger equation and its solutions for various quantum systems
  • Research ionization energy and methods for ionizing atoms
  • Explore the role of high-energy photons in atomic interactions
  • Investigate weak interactions and their effects on atomic particles
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Students of physics, quantum mechanics enthusiasts, and professionals in fields related to atomic and particle physics will benefit from this discussion.

CuriousS
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What will happen if somehow we make electron to stop revolving around the necleus?
 
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CuriousS said:
What will happen if somehow we make an atom stop oscillating as a wave? Will the atom disappear?
This question makes no sense. An atom isn't oscillating as a wave. An atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in various quantised energy states (called electron shells).
 
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PeroK said:
This question makes no sense. An atom isn't oscillating as a wave. An atom has a nucleus of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in various quantised energy states (called electron shells).
Sorry I questioned it wrong. I have corrected it.
 
CuriousS said:
What will happen if somehow we make electron to stop revolving around the necleus?

First, it isn't revolving round the nucleus. It's in an energy eigenstate. Only certain energy eigenstates are allowed (they must be solutions to the Schrödinger equation).

You can ionise an atom, by providing enough energy to "free" an electron. In that case you have an ion and a free electron which is no longer bound to the atom/ion.

The short answer to your question is that you get an ion.
 
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CuriousS said:
What will happen if somehow we make electron to stop revolving around the necleus?
You can't stop such an electron. But if you have only a nucleus (ion) and shoot an electron onto this nucleus, then a proton will turn into a neutron by emitting a neutrino.
Here is a nice list of weak interactions:
https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~pgl/SMB/529/Lecture_notes/LN15_weak.pdf
 
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Basically you are asking "what would happen if we stop physics to work the way it does?". No way to predict it, just as you can't predict how a fairy tale ends before it is told to the end.
 
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CuriousS said:
What will happen if somehow we make electron to stop revolving around the necleus?
The word is 'orbiting' but the question is basically ok. It's not at all hard to knock an electron off an atom. A high energy photon or electron will do it. It happens all the time in our atmosphere. The atoms that are in and near stars are pretty much all missing some or all of their electrons. Atoms with missing electrons are called Ions.
 

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