ok. qmm states that the first orbital is the closest to the nucleus, right?
and...the electrons are attracted to the protons, right?
then how do the electrons, in say, helium, stay orbiting, and do not "fall into" the nucleus.
2006-12-23 14:13:26 · 11 answers · asked by Zapking 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The simplest answer without going into quantum is motion. The same idea can be applied to moons orbiting planets- they would essentially do the same thing. If the orbiting body were ever to stop moving, the magnetic pull of the opposite charges would be too great and the electron would crash, thankfully this doesn't happen. With planets, gravity would be the culprit.
2006-12-23 15:41:32 · answer #1 · answered by Physfreak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are thinking of electron orbit in newtonian terms, when "orbit" is actually just a metaphor for the true movement of electrons. Honestly, we don't really know if the Bohr model resembles the real structure of atoms AT ALL, because we don't have a method to observe atoms directly. The only reason that we still teach that model in high school is that it's a conceptually simple way to explain chemical reactions. In fact, much about the model, such as "energy levels", max electrons per "level", even the existence of a nucleus is the product of working backwards; observing reactions/energy changes, and creating an easy-to-grasp "physical" model from the implications of that data.
Sorry, I'm getting a little sidetracked. The main point of my answer is that newtonian physics was never meant to apply to the electrons, because the model wasn't designed to hold any water when examined in a physical fashion.. We sort of take it as a given, when we're working with the Bohr model, that the electrons will "orbit" perpetually.
2006-12-23 22:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by John C 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok the real reason is the angular momentum of the electrons keeps them from "falling in", some scientist i forgot his name came up with the equation mvr=nh, nh being the quantum level times planks constant and mvr being the angular momentum needed to keep the electron in orbit.
2006-12-23 22:24:03 · answer #3 · answered by jdog33 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the first thing you learn in chemisty....
Electrons are strongly held on to the proton. Thats why isotopes are hard to create. Also scientist can't see a proton for it's exact shape. So therefore we assume its round, and on an round object, there are no sides, so the force is evenly distrubuted.
2006-12-24 00:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by -Eugenious- 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they have a lot of kinetic energy which keeps them moving. That's almost the same question as why doesn't the Earth fall into the Sun?
If the temperature of the molecule was absolute zero (a theoretical state) then I suppose they would be touching.
2006-12-23 22:21:43 · answer #5 · answered by dgbaley27 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they contain an infinite amount of energy to resist that attraction and they don't lose that set amount of energy, but can gain more and jump to a higher orbital.
2006-12-23 22:21:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The electrons are orbitng while zooming along at about 16,000 miles per SECOND.
At least that's a rough magnitude.
2006-12-23 23:38:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is something called inertia when electrons are whirling at high speeds, which weakens the pull to protons.
2006-12-23 23:38:02 · answer #8 · answered by Bao L 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
whats te question
2006-12-23 22:15:53 · answer #9 · answered by benil 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
because .. hey i don't erally care!! lol... merry xmas!!
2006-12-23 22:16:44 · answer #10 · answered by ☆ juli ☆ 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋