I asked this questions before, in a bit of a different way. the most objection was the electrons dont orbit around the nucleus like planets around the sun, there in a kind of cloud. but there are actully spining things in atoms Iv been lead to belive. So could this be happening. bcos of the size difference it would be spining so fast in our view that it would look like a cloud to us.
2007-01-30 15:42:44 · 6 answers · asked by marvin b 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No. The electrons have a spin, but that does not affect their appearance from a physical point of view. The electron looks like a cloud because there is a finite probability of finding it anywhere within the cloud.
2007-01-30 15:48:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although an atom and a solar system are similar in that they both have objects orbiting a central body, they differ in the fact that, in an atom, the components define an element that the atom represents. A solar system, on the other hand, has various bodies orbiting a central body, each of them comprised of a collection of many elements. Additionally, the distance that the orbiting parts are located in an atom are quite defined while those in a solar system are not wholly defined, for example, whether Pluto is a planet or another item. Or how far away from a sun do bodies stop orbiting that sun.
2007-01-30 23:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by mhichil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the electron cloud is formed by electrons spinning on different paths and axis.
There are s, p, d, and f orbitals, and each orbital holds up to two electrons.
The s orbital is one-dimensional, and occurs only once per energy level.
The p orbitals are on the xyz-axis and has two electrons on each respective axis.
The d and f orbitals hold 10 and 16 electrons, and the axis for these ones I cannot recall.
So, as for your question. An atom is not like a solar system, except in the sense that smaller things are spinning about a larger object.
(I believe this is correct, apologies if there are any discrepancies.)
2007-01-30 23:51:08 · answer #3 · answered by Steven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Planets are large physical objects and obey simple laws of physics to a great degree of accuracy. Electrons operate according to quantum laws which are much more statistical and imprecise. Planets are in one place at a time with a measurable speed. The speed and position of an electron cannot be measured at the same time. We can determine where a planet will be. We cannot determine where an electron will be.
Quantum physics is very different from mechanical physics.
2007-01-31 00:38:56 · answer #4 · answered by smartprimate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because electrons can jump from one orbit to another, depending on the energy level, which planets don't do.
2007-01-30 23:53:44 · answer #5 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out a documentary on BBC called the elegant Universe its in three parts and deals with string theory and M theory
the sola systems of atoms if you like
2007-01-30 23:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋