Why, IF electrons really orbited atoms, would they lose energy?

[bananabandana]

Homework Statement

Why, IF electrons really orbited atoms, would they lose energy?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I realize they're meant to emit light. But why? I understand vaguely that the E field might be changing with time, since you have a changing magnetic flux... but where does the changing E field come from? Unless I guess it's just a self supporting process (changing B field *causes* changing E here...) - is that just what a light ray is??

Many Thanks!

 

[Gullik]

Draw up a picture of a simple atom, like a hydrogen atom. Ignore the contribution from the atom core to the electric field.

Pick a random point and write down the electric field in that point, draw it again after half a period (For the orbiting electron).

Will the electric field be different in the two pictures.

 

[bananabandana]

Oh right, for sure. The electron is at a different distance from the point! Sorry!

 

[voko]

A moving charge always produces a changing E field, that should be obvious. Take any fixed point P in space. At some time, the charge Q is at distance A from P. At some other time, Q is at distance B from P. Because A and B are different, the E field at P must also be different.

 

[HalfLostAndSearching]

Firstly, it is important to note that the concept of electrons orbiting atoms is an oversimplified model that is commonly used to explain atomic structure. In reality, electrons do not orbit atoms in a circular path like planets around the sun. Instead, they exist in a cloud of probability around the nucleus.

Now, to address the question of why electrons would lose energy if they were orbiting atoms, we need to understand the concept of energy levels in atoms. According to the Bohr model of the atom, electrons can only exist in certain energy levels around the nucleus. When electrons absorb energy, they move to a higher energy level. However, they cannot stay at this higher energy level forever and will eventually return to a lower energy level, releasing the excess energy in the form of light.

This process of electrons moving between energy levels and emitting light is known as emission or absorption of photons. The changing electric field that you mentioned is a result of this process. When an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower one, it creates a changing electric field which in turn produces a changing magnetic field. This changing electromagnetic field is what we perceive as light.

In summary, electrons lose energy because they are constantly moving between energy levels in an atom and releasing energy in the form of light. This process is fundamental to the behavior of atoms and is essential for understanding many phenomena in the physical world.