Re: Odd nuclear question

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	In dealing with electrons in atoms, the information depends on the
wave function, and the definitions of distance from the nucleus and
speed are quite fuzzy. But one can calculate the averages over time, and
the average speed does depend on the average distance from the nucleus. As
a very crude approximation, the kinetic energy is roughly equal to the
potential energy, so the speed, v, can be estimated from 1/2 m v-squared =
Z e-squared / r where Z is the atomic number, e is the electron charge, r
is the distance from the nucleus, and m is the electron mass (the units
must be set right to use this formuls). Thus, v is inversely proportional
to the square root of r.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Thu, 2 Dec 1999, Scott D Kniffin wrote:

> Hi all, 
> 
> Someone asked me if the orbital speed of an electron depended on it's
> distance from the nucleus.  The entirely unsatisfactory answer that I have
> is "I'm not sure".  Does anyone out there happen to know?  Any references
> would be nice as well, I'd like to brush up on this particular part of
> nuclear theory again.  
> 
> My thanks as always, 
> 
> Scott Kniffin
> 
> RSO Unisys Federal Systems, Lanham, MD
> CHO Radiation Effects Facility, GSFC, NASA
> mailto:Scott.D.Kniffin.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
> 
> The opinions expressed here are my own. They do not necessarily represent
> the views of Unisys or NASA.  This material has not been reviewed by my
> manager or NASA.  
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