- #31
- 32,814
- 4,726
Gokul: This thread actually has "settled down". Unfortunately, Akuro is responding to something that is at least 2 weeks old (see date of dexter's last post).
Zz.
Zz.
Why Does an Excited Electron Decay to the Ground State?
- Thread starter K8181
- Start date
Click For Summary
An excited electron in an atom decays to the ground state due to the instability of energy eigenstates, which can be perturbed by external factors, leading to photon emission. When an electron absorbs energy, it transitions to a higher energy state, while de-excitation occurs as it loses energy, moving back to a more stable, lower energy state. The energy levels of electrons arise from their interaction with the atomic nucleus, emphasizing that these levels are not inherent to the electrons themselves. Discussions around the terminology of "excited electrons" versus the atom's state highlight the complexity of quantum mechanics and the importance of understanding the electron-nucleus relationship. Ultimately, the behavior of electrons in atoms is fundamentally different from classical systems, necessitating a quantum mechanical perspective.
Similar threads
Undergrad
Confused about spontaneous emission
- · Replies 6 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
Undergrad
Why do we need He in a He-Ne laser?
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 0 ·
- · Replies 10 ·
- · Replies 11 ·
Graduate
Spontaneous emission and coherence
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 6 ·
- · Replies 1 ·