Re: [Phys-l] Prising electrons from the atom

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

1.  I don't think that yuu are reading the "simplified explanation" 
carefully.  "Does not merge with" is not the same as "keeps away from". 
As a matter-of-fact the s-orbitals of hydrogen, for example, spend a 
fraction of teir time inside the nucleus.
2.  "Simplified explanations" are often not intended to be taken 
literally.
3.  As was pointed out on another thread, the Feynman Lectures is an 
excellent resource for teachers who are struggling with concepts in modern 
physics.
				Regards,
				Jack


On Wed, 17 Dec 2008, sridhar chitta wrote:

>      I have two questions to the forum:
>
>
>
> 1)      What kind of force keeps the electrons away from the nucleus.
>
>
>
>      Can this be called a "nuclear" force ? I have been teaching students
> that there are four fundamental forces in nature and that all other forces
> are derived from these. Yet, I found this force described in
>
>
>
>      http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/touch/touch.html
>
>
>
>      "The *nuclear forces* between these two types of objects is so strong
> that no earthly conditions can cause the electrons to merge with the
> nucleus, even though they are opposite in charge".
>
>      Which fundamental force should this "nuclear" force be ascribed to ?
>
>
>
> 2)      Why cannot a hammer and chisel that can exert a force of say, 100
> Newtons be used to prise an electron away from the nucleus of a copper atom
> in a copper bar given that the radius of an atom is of the order of
> 10-10meters and the electric force of attraction between a proton and
> an electron
> that are this far apart is a *mere 2.3 x 10**-8 **Newtons** ?* (Electric and
> Magnetic Interactions by Sherwood and Chabay)

--
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