Electron Density: Do They Become More Dense When Cold?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of electrons getting colder and becoming more dense, particularly in a wire or an electron gas. It is mentioned that an electron gas could potentially become an Einstein-Bose condensate if cooled enough, but it is not possible with electrons because they are fermions and cannot occupy the same quantum state. It is also noted that the mass of an electron is 9.1 x 10^-19, but its volume is unknown.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
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In my physics class today my teacher was wondering when electrons get colder do they become more dense . So do electron become more dense if the get colder.
 
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  • #2
What do you mean by more dense? What is the volume of an electron? Or do you propose to discuss a collection of electrons, like an electron gas?
 
  • #3
well my teacher was originally talking about electrons in a wire what would happen if the wire got colder . what would happen to an electron gas . If we got the electron gas cold enough could it become an Einstein-Bose condensate.
 
  • #4
Sure, I think an electron gas would get denser as it cooled, if other factors like the pressure were kept the same. That's generally true for gasses. The electrons in a wire might also get a little denser as the wire cools, but only because the entire wire is getting denser. Those electrons are trapped within a crystal lattice whose density changes only a little with temperature.

However, you could never make a Bose-Einstein condensate out of electrons, because electrons are not bosons - they're fermions. That means that no two electrons can be in the same quantum state. And a system has to have a significant fraction of its particles all in the same quantum state (the lowest-energy state) to be considered a Bose-Einstein condensate.
 
  • #5
I see thank-you for your response.
 
  • #6
cragar said:
I see thank-you for your response.

i no that mass of the electron is 9.1 x 1o-19
volume i jus dun no?
 

FAQ: Electron Density: Do They Become More Dense When Cold?

1. What is electron density?

Electron density refers to the measure of the number of electrons present in a given unit volume of space.

2. How is electron density affected by temperature?

As temperature decreases, the atoms and molecules in a substance slow down and become more tightly packed. This results in an increase in electron density.

3. Does electron density always increase with decreasing temperature?

No, there are certain substances, such as water, that have a maximum electron density at a specific temperature. This is due to the unique properties of the substance and its molecular structure.

4. How does electron density affect the properties of a substance?

Electron density is directly related to the strength of chemical bonds and the overall stability of a substance. Higher electron density typically results in stronger bonds and a more stable structure.

5. Can electron density be measured and manipulated?

Yes, electron density can be measured using techniques such as X-ray crystallography or electron microscopy. It can also be manipulated through the use of external forces, such as electric or magnetic fields.

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