What is the frequency of proton oscillation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of proton oscillation, questioning whether protons can oscillate and, if so, how this occurs. Participants explore the nature of proton movement, the conditions under which oscillation might happen, and the implications of such behavior in the context of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the assumption that protons oscillate, suggesting that while it is possible to create conditions for oscillation, it is not a general characteristic of protons.
  • One participant mentions that constant velocity is associated with certain potential wells, indicating that the behavior of protons may depend on their environment.
  • Another participant asserts that protons inside large nuclei form standing waves, implying that they do not oscillate in the traditional sense.
  • Some participants express a general belief that particles, including protons, can oscillate under specific conditions, but this is not universally accepted.
  • There is a discussion about wave functions and their periodic changes, with questions raised about the implications of such changes on emission properties.
  • One participant challenges the premise of the discussion, comparing it to asking about a non-existent phenomenon, which highlights the uncertainty surrounding the initial assumption of proton oscillation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of proton oscillation. There are competing views regarding whether protons can oscillate and under what conditions, leading to an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reveals limitations in assumptions about proton behavior and the definitions of oscillation. There are unresolved questions about the conditions necessary for oscillation and the implications of wave function behavior.

Devin
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How do protons oscillate? Do they move back and forth with a constant velocity, or sort of like a mass on a spring? If so, what is the frequency of oscillation? Thanks
 
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Devin said:
How do protons oscillate? Do they move back and forth with a constant velocity, or sort of like a mass on a spring? If so, what is the frequency of oscillation? Thanks

What makes you think that protons oscillate in general? I can set up a system where I can make a proton oscillate in space, but in that case, I could give it any frequency I wanted.
 
Constant velocity is characteristic of flat-bottomed, square well. Big nuclei approach it, small ones do not.
 
The question makes some unclear assumption about protons which is probably not true.

snorkack said:
Constant velocity is characteristic of flat-bottomed, square well. Big nuclei approach it, small ones do not.
Even in large nuclei, the protons inside form a standing wave, so they don't oscillate.
 
I know so little about the tiny world that provides us our laws. I am under the assumption that particles oscillate in general. I just want to know how. Not why. The why is easy.
 
They can oscillate, but in general they do not.
 
Devin said:
I know so little about the tiny world that provides us our laws. I am under the assumption that particles oscillate in general. I just want to know how. Not why. The why is easy.

Protons are just like everything else, under some conditions they can oscillate, under others they will behave in other ways.
 
mfb said:
They can oscillate, but in general they do not.
Can it be said that wave functions which undergo some sort of periodic change tend to emit something?
 
That depends on the periodic change and its cause.
 
  • #10
What kinds of wave functions have modulus changing?
Changing the argument of wave function while leaving the modulus constant should leave the probability density constant.
 
  • #11
Devin said:
I am under the assumption that particles oscillate in general.

It's your assumption. How can we explain it?
 
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  • #12
Devin said:
I know so little about the tiny world that provides us our laws. I am under the assumption that particles oscillate in general. I just want to know how. Not why. The why is easy.

Protons don't oscillate on its own.

Unless you are able to show us where you got such an idea, there is no way for us to answer a question that started off with a false premise. It is like you are asking us to explain why unicorns are purple.

Zz.
 

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