On 03/14/2012 12:53 AM, Michael Costolo wrote:
I guess my point was the neutron is a nuclear particle and so the concept of
it's orbit seemed, out of place. Hence my confusion. Excitation of neutron
energy states might have been more appropriate language? Now where is my copy
of Eisberg and Resnick?
Orbit as such is a confusing term, only carried due to historic models,
but it is handy reference to energy levels [1]. The neutron isn't
neutral in this sense, it will follow the Pauli exclusion principle [2]
just as the electrons and the protons. Interestingly enough, for an atom
the Pauli exclusion principle, which prohibits two particles to have the
same quantum state, acts independently on the electrons, protons and
neutrons independently [3]. This is true for all fermions [4].
Alkali metals and selected ions all share the fact that they have a
single electron in the outer "shell". Just as you select among atoms for
single electrons, you could select for single protons or single
neutrons. It's the same laws being applied all over again.
It's all entangled in a strange but mostly consistent pattern which we
know how it works to a very large degree, but really has no real
understanding of why. The laws it obeys is obscure to say the least.
Cheers,
Magnus
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_shell
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauli_exclusion_principle
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermion
-Mike-
On Mar 13, 2012, at 7:45 PM, Magnus Danielson<[email protected]>
wrote:
On 03/14/2012 12:27 AM, Michael Costolo wrote:
I'll admit to being a bit rusty in my particle physics, but since when do
neutrons orbit the nucleus?
In the same way as the outer electron "orbits" the nucleus.
It's a quantum state with energy levels. Select it wisely and it can provide a
reference difference in energy. It's the same business as with any other atomic
clock.
Still, this is on the concept sketch state still. Lots of practicalities prior
to put it into use.
With a handful of these being investigated, the methods will develop and the
bar for them will lower.
Cheers,
Magnus
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