- #1
arupel
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- TL;DR Summary
- The distance between atoms is huge. The question was that with so much space between them, why don,t solids simply penetrate each other. The answer is electricall repulsion of the outer orbital electrons. The inner orbital electrons act as a foundation. I would like to go further in this vein with a guess how this can work at a basic quantum mechanical level.
The question will be formulated as a hypothetical question in classical physics. I will offer what I think is an answer using basic quantum mechanics.
The classical question: Since it is the electrical repulsive force on the outer orbital elections, even with the inner orbital electrons serving as a foundation, then it would still seem that the orbits of the outer orbital electrons as well as the inner electrons would be distorted by the repulsive force.
They are not. Using the Bohr atom as the model, Any repulsive electrical force would push against the outer orbital electron. Being pushed back it cannot go between its outer orbit and the next quantum level. It must 'jump" to the next lower quantum level.
This would results in 3 electrons at this next lower level with two with the same spin. By the Pauli Exclusion principle, 2 fermions cannot occupy the same quantum state (please excuse the spelling). The outer orbital electron must remain at the outer orbit.
As a consequence of these two factors the orbits of the electrons are not distorted though the orbital electrons suffer the repulsive electrical force.
This leads to a second question. A quantum level with two electrons (spin up and spin down) does not violate the Pauli Exclusion principle. The second question is a classical one. Granted that the Pauli Exclusion principle is not violated, these two electrons are basically in the same orbit. The repulsive force between them must be severe. The only answer I can think of that in quantum mechanics there is no repulsive force between them. Then why not?
A third question. Can the the two electrons in the same orbit be considered to be in a single quantum entangled state?
I would appreciate any corrections to the distortions in my thinking.
Thanks,
Arthur Rupel
The classical question: Since it is the electrical repulsive force on the outer orbital elections, even with the inner orbital electrons serving as a foundation, then it would still seem that the orbits of the outer orbital electrons as well as the inner electrons would be distorted by the repulsive force.
They are not. Using the Bohr atom as the model, Any repulsive electrical force would push against the outer orbital electron. Being pushed back it cannot go between its outer orbit and the next quantum level. It must 'jump" to the next lower quantum level.
This would results in 3 electrons at this next lower level with two with the same spin. By the Pauli Exclusion principle, 2 fermions cannot occupy the same quantum state (please excuse the spelling). The outer orbital electron must remain at the outer orbit.
As a consequence of these two factors the orbits of the electrons are not distorted though the orbital electrons suffer the repulsive electrical force.
This leads to a second question. A quantum level with two electrons (spin up and spin down) does not violate the Pauli Exclusion principle. The second question is a classical one. Granted that the Pauli Exclusion principle is not violated, these two electrons are basically in the same orbit. The repulsive force between them must be severe. The only answer I can think of that in quantum mechanics there is no repulsive force between them. Then why not?
A third question. Can the the two electrons in the same orbit be considered to be in a single quantum entangled state?
I would appreciate any corrections to the distortions in my thinking.
Thanks,
Arthur Rupel