The Mystery of Excited Electrons: Are They Moving Away from the Nucleus?

In summary, the conversation discusses the location of electrons in the conduction band and their relationship to the nucleus. The picture mentioned is classical in nature and the band structure is a feature of energy, not space. In the conduction band, electrons are free to move over long distances and are no longer tethered to a particular atom. This is important for conduction to occur.
  • #1
Mustafa Bayram
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when an electron is excited to the conduction band is it move further from the nucleus?
Are free electrons in the conduction band further from valence electrons?
I saw this picture that seems problematic to me. what do you think?

conduction band.png
 
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  • #2
I am not sure what that picture represents, but (1) it looks like a very classical-minded picture and (2) the band structure is a feature in energy, not in space.

Generally speaking, higher-energy electrons are farther away from the nucleus, and therefore further away from core electrons. But the proper description is quantum mechanical, so you can't assign a precise position to an electron. Even high-energy electrons have a non-zero probability of being found near the nucleus.

In the conduction band, electrons are no longer tethered to a particular atom and are free to move over long distances.
 
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  • #3
DrClaude said:
I am not sure what that picture represents
Me neither, but for some reason I remember that I need to pick up some thing at Target.
DrClaude said:
In the conduction band, electrons are no longer tethered to a particular atom
This is key. Can you write it again?

If all the electrons were strongly localized to a nucleus, you wouldn't have conduction!
 
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FAQ: The Mystery of Excited Electrons: Are They Moving Away from the Nucleus?

What causes electrons to become excited?

Electrons become excited when they absorb energy from an external source, such as photons of light, thermal energy, or electrical energy. This energy input allows the electron to move from a lower energy level (ground state) to a higher energy level (excited state).

Do excited electrons move away from the nucleus?

Yes, when electrons become excited, they move to higher energy levels, which are typically farther away from the nucleus. These higher energy levels correspond to orbitals that have a greater average distance from the nucleus compared to the ground state.

How long do electrons stay in an excited state?

Electrons usually remain in an excited state for a very short period, typically on the order of nanoseconds to microseconds. They quickly release the absorbed energy in the form of light (photons) or heat and return to their ground state.

What happens when excited electrons return to the ground state?

When excited electrons return to the ground state, they release the absorbed energy. This energy is often emitted as photons, which can be observed as visible light, ultraviolet light, or other forms of electromagnetic radiation depending on the energy difference between the excited and ground states.

Can excited electrons affect chemical reactions?

Yes, excited electrons can significantly affect chemical reactions. They can provide the necessary energy to overcome activation barriers, facilitate the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, and enable reactions that would not occur under normal conditions. This principle is the basis for many photochemical reactions and processes such as photosynthesis.

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