Electron Paradox?

[sr.vinay]

At 0K(though impossible to achieve), bodies are at their lowest energy states as they've expelled their energy to the surroundings. This should mean electrons lose their energy too and fall into the nucleus. Or, atoms can collide with each other as the density is infinite. This can create a big bang. Thus, big bang at 0K? Is this one reason that 0K can't be achieved?

[Horza2002]

No. At 0K, the atoms are in their ground states of translational, rotational, vibrational and electronic states. Even at this level, the electrons will still have their lowest energy possible.

[Radical Edward]

"this can create a big bang" does not really follow from what you have said.

[sr.vinay]

How come electrons still have energy left? They should've expelled all their energy to the surroundings as 0K is a temperature that's obviously the lowest possible. From thermodynamics, if the surrounding temperature is maintained at 0K, all energy from the system should be expelled to the surroundings.

And, about the big bang, since the density shall become infinite; with electrons still vibrating, when the volume becomes 0, they should start colliding such that mass is thrown outwards. Sort of a bang.

---

Merged post follows:

Consecutive posts merged

No. At 0K, the atoms are in their ground states of translational, rotational, vibrational and electronic states. Even at this level, the electrons will still have their lowest energy possible.

Since 0K has never been achieved, it can't be said that electrons can still remain in their ground states.

[swansont]

How come electrons still have energy left? They should've expelled all their energy to the surroundings as 0K is a temperature that's obviously the lowest possible. From thermodynamics, if the surrounding temperature is maintained at 0K, all energy from the system should be expelled to the surroundings.

And, about the big bang, since the density shall become infinite; with electrons still vibrating, when the volume becomes 0, they should start colliding such that mass is thrown outwards. Sort of a bang.

---

Merged post follows:

Consecutive posts merged

 

Since 0K has never been achieved, it can't be said that electrons can still remain in their ground states.

 

We've come very close, though. 0K means the system is in the ground state.

[sr.vinay]

Could you elaborate?

Isn't ground state still a theory?

[swansont]

Could you elaborate?

Isn't ground state still a theory?

 

"Still a theory?" That phrasing is typical of one who isn't familiar with the definition of theory.

 

Bose-Einstein condensates have been cooled below 500 picoKelvins. The atoms are in the ground state and respond to lasers just as one would expect of atoms in the ground state.

[sr.vinay]

Oh, okay. Thanks for that.

Are electrons ever capable of ever expelling all their energy?

[swansont]

Oh, okay. Thanks for that.

Are electrons ever capable of ever expelling all their energy?

 

Any bound system is going to have a minimum energy. A free electron could come arbitrarily close to zero kinetic energy.

[sr.vinay]

But never such low energy that it should fall into the nucleus?

[swansont]

No, there is no lower energy state.

 

Electrons can and do interact with the nucleus, but this happens at any temperature.

[mannzzu]

there exists zero point energy which is present at any temperature.hence e- energy is never zero.also any mass has energy!! mass cannot be converted into energy!but can be moved i.e when there's energy its nothing but mass.quantity of enrgy in mass.e- does not fall because it has charge which is always present at all temperature.hence mag field and it still spins..

[sr.vinay]

No, there is no lower energy state.

 

Electrons can and do interact with the nucleus, but this happens at any temperature.

 

Could you explain why a lower state of energy cannot exist? Is it because of the electrostatic forces and the nuclear and centrifugal forces?

[swansont]

Could you explain why a lower state of energy cannot exist? Is it because of the electrostatic forces and the nuclear and centrifugal forces?

 

It's because of quantum mechanics. Energy levels are quantized, and there is a minimum energy state.

[mannzzu]

Any bound system is going to have a minimum energy. A free electron could come arbitrarily close to zero kinetic energy.

 

but 0 kinetic energy is never possible for an e- in an atom!! isn't it?

[swansont]

but 0 kinetic energy is never possible for an e- in an atom!! isn't it?

 

No, because the minimum energy is not where the electron is at rest.