- #1
Strat-O
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I was wondering at the remarkable fact that when an atom has an extra electron it is then possible to apply forces to it to accelerate it. What I find remarkable is the fact that even a heavy ion like mercury where the nucleus is many orders of magnitude more massive than the one electron that is able to cause the acceleration. One could conclude that when the forces to accelerate the ion are applied, it rips off the electron(s) and the electrons go in the direction of acceleration and the now positive nucleus is then accelerated in the opposite direction.
For example, in the case of a cyclotron, a speeding mercury ion (-) encounters the magnetic field and the electrons get pulled to the right, say, and the bare nucleus would then be pulled to the left. In real life this does not happen (or does it to a small extent?) but what prevents it from happening generally?
Thanks,
Marlin
For example, in the case of a cyclotron, a speeding mercury ion (-) encounters the magnetic field and the electrons get pulled to the right, say, and the bare nucleus would then be pulled to the left. In real life this does not happen (or does it to a small extent?) but what prevents it from happening generally?
Thanks,
Marlin