Wow! Just like I pictured it.
Posted on 02/26/2008 1:59:29 AM PST by grey_whiskers
Scientists have filmed an electron in motion for the first time, using a new technique that will allow researchers to study the tiny particle's movements directly.
Previously it was impossible to photograph electrons because of their extreme speediness, so scientists had to rely on more indirect methods. These methods could only measure the effect of an electron's movement, whereas the new technique can capture the entire event.
Extremely short flashes of light are necessary to capture an electron in motion. A technology developed within the last few years can generate short pulses of intense laser light, called attosecond pulses, to get the job done.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Cheers!
Another “WOW!” moment.
Ping
The image is two dimensional and shows perfectly circular orbits. I wonder how that was accomplished? Isn’t the electon shell spherical?
1s orbitals (lowest orbital angular momentum quantum number) are; but recall that the "orbital" is the locus of the most likely position of the electron. p, d, f, orbitals are shaped differently. It could be they were only detecting scattering relative to a slice through the orbital. I'd have to read more about the experiments to see if they have explained it...but that'll be later.
Cheers!
When you photograph an electron, don’t you then know the spped and location of the particle. What about Heisenberg?
“... attosecond is 10-18 seconds long...”
10 to 18 seconds long? Yeah, I can see where that’d need all kinds of geewizbangery type newfangled tecnogizmo stuff.
Yeah, weak joke, but at least I tried.
A picture of an electron, that is pretty dang cool.
Now, if they were really trying, they’d get a picture of a photon.
What is a photon used for anyway?
spped = speed. Sorry.
“What is a photon used for anyway?”
Torpedoes
So where in the film are you sure you have the velocity or the position of the electron nailed down?
Interesting thought: I only remember derivations for Cartesian coordinates; I wonder what things would look like in spherical polar coordinates ;-)
Cheers!
That’s what I thought. How many photons does a torpedo hold, anyway?
Btw, watched the video. Electrons also make really weird music too. Who knew?
Cheers!
Oh, too cool. I guess that explains where the light goes when the light goes out, then.
So,that’s like, longer than 18 seconds?
btw, just goofin. I did read the article and understood a few of the words and such.
Yeah I assumed it was the copy editor that blew it, but anymore you never know.
LOL yeah. I know. The more I read in professional pubs listed here, the less ashamed I am at my own lack of grammar and general communication ability.
Hell, I’m dang near normal. Sad, aint it?
LiveScience Video Electron in Motion
http://www.livescience.com/php/video/player.php?video_id=080222-ElectronRide
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