- #1
mitrasoumya
- 22
- 0
What is the probability of an electron being found outside the atom it belongs to? Is it zero or nonzero?
TeethWhitener said:There isn’t really a good definition of “inside” and “outside” an atom
Yes, an electron can be found outside the atom it belongs to. This can happen through a process called ionization, where an electron gains enough energy to break free from the atom's attraction.
An electron can leave an atom through ionization, where it gains enough energy to break free from the atom's attraction. This can also happen through other processes such as photoelectric effect or thermal emission.
When an electron leaves an atom, it becomes an ion. This means that the atom has a positive charge, as it has lost one of its negatively charged electrons.
Yes, an electron can return to its original atom after leaving through a process called recombination. This happens when the ionized atom gains an electron from another source, such as a nearby atom or a free electron.
Yes, it is possible for an electron to exist on its own without an atom. These free electrons can be found in various forms, such as in plasma, in a vacuum, or in a high-energy state. However, in most cases, electrons are found bound to atoms due to their attraction to the positively charged nucleus.