I read in my essentials of astronomy student reference book
that the sun consists of free electrons & atomic nuclei .
What do they mean by the word free ?
i know what the basic word free means but what do they mean by free electrons?
2007-03-16 07:54:56 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
"Free electrons" means that the electrons are just floating around in the atomic soup that is the sun. Normally, electrons are found orbiting nuclei. In the case of the sun, the heat has stripped those electrons from the nuclei and they are free to move about as they please.
2007-03-16 08:19:46 · answer #1 · answered by spaceprt 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Free electrons" means that the electrons are just floating around in the atomic soup that is the sun. Normally, electrons are found orbiting nuclei. In the case of the sun, the heat has stripped those electrons from the nuclei and they are free to move about as they please.
2007-03-16 14:58:39 · answer #2 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means they're not stuck in an endless commute around nuclei.
2007-03-16 21:23:32 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it means the hydrogen atoms are ionized as H+ and electrons roam freely in this proton soup.
2007-03-16 15:01:31 · answer #4 · answered by catarthur 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It basically means it's plasma... Research plasma and there you go.
2007-03-16 14:59:03 · answer #5 · answered by Alucard Zero 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋