"archaic" view of atom structure

lindas4_at_aol.com
Date: 12/17/04 

Date: 16 Dec 2004 18:20:11 -0800

Earlier today, I was told that the view of an atom as a nucleus with
electrons in circular orbits was "archaic". As I understand it (I am
NOT a "card carrying physicist") this is, indeed a good, simplified
view of the basic structure, and thus is useful for teaching and for
calculations. In fact, this structure does occur. For example, it is
present in hydrogen and helium atoms. In atoms with a larger number of
electrons, some electrons are forced into larger circular orbits, and
some into elliptical orbits. Am I OK so far?

Also, as I understand it, the term "cloud" when used to refer to
electrons and their behavior, simply refers to the fact that the
electron, unlike a planet in the solar system, does not remain
constantly in the same orbit, but moves away from and toward the
nucleus as it travels around it (we all learned in elementary school
science that heat will cause this to occur). Thus, the electron would
look, to an observer, like a fuzzy cloud, and not like a clearly
defined ring.

Would a real "card carrying physicist", hopefully a physics instructor,
please tell me if I am missing something here?

Relevant Pages

  • Re: "archaic" view of atom structure
    ... states of atoms. ... > electrons, some electrons are forced into larger circular orbits, and ... It has no "orbit" at all! ... > nucleus as it travels around it (we all learned in elementary school ...
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  • "archaic" view of atom structure
    ... electrons in circular orbits was "archaic". ... present in hydrogen and helium atoms. ... nucleus as it travels around it (we all learned in elementary school ...
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  • Re: Experts how to prove the existence of electrons
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  • Re: Strange Atoms and Strangelet Fusion
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  • Re: Another Beautiful Picture
    ... look like one of JJ Thompson's quaint old drawings of an atom, with the electrons in little circular orbits. ... the center compression artifacts? ...
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