ZAK, has this question from school.

Draw an atom on paper "to scale" with the nucleus being .25 inches in diameter.

How far away will you have to draw the electron if drawing to scale ?

A. 256 yards
B. 4 miles
C. 186,000 miles
D. 25 feet
E. 50 inches

 

DORGUNR,
Did you try a search? As much as this group likes to post I wouldn't be surprized if that topic was discussed already. LOL

HIGH RISK

 

The atomic number of an atom represents the number of protons in its nucleus. This number remains constant for a given element. The number of neutrons may vary, however, creating isotopes that have the same chemical behavior, but different mass. The isotopes of hydrogen are protium (no additional neutrons), deuterium (one neutron), and tritium (two neutrons). Hydrogen always has one proton in its nucleus. These illustrations are schematic representations of the atom and are not to scale. Actually, the nucleus is approximately 10,000 times smaller than the average orbital radius of the electron, which defines the size of the atom.

10,000 times .25 = 2500" = 208.33'


http://www.jlab.org/services/pced/atomtour/fact3.html


This question has no precise answer.

adp



[This message has been edited by adp (edited 06-16-2000).]

 

Looks like some one needs to go back to school. I did do a search and got this reply.

It matches B the correct answer.

If you were drawing a hydrogen atom to scale on paper with the nucleus having a .25 inch diameter, Where would the electron be drawn ?

ANSWER:

Since the nucleus is about 1 million times smaller than the inner most orbit shell of an electron , the edge of the paper would have to extend approximately

4 miles to display the electron.

 

For some reason this was the first post I read at 645 this morning....I'm still reeling...thanks a lot guys...

CA

 

Well, not to put too much emphasis on it but; this question illustrates a problem with school questions at any level. There is no precise answer because there are no precise orbits for electrons surrounding an atom. The accepted model for the atom consists of a nucleus and a cloud of electrons surrounding it. Depending on the element, there may be one or several levels (or shells) of electron orbits. Within each orbit space, the electron or electrons "jitter", that is they travel in an orbit space that varies (if there is more than one electron, each electron of a pair also spins in an opposite direction). Now if we could only find all of the anti-matter posited by theory that seems to be missing.

I know "B" is the answer that was expected but the question really assumes that there is a precise answer - there is not. I also know that, in school, the expected answer is more valued than the truth. Having designed and written tests and test questions (I used to be a Psychologist in an earlier [much earlier ] life, I know that a good test or even a good question, is very difficult to write.

Well, now that we've explored one of my pet peaves, do we know more than we ever wanted to know about orbits?

Zak will answer "B" and all will be happy!

As I step down from my soapbox, dodging the flames, I think to myself: "Where else but on the Lightning board would we have such a conversation".

I love it!



adp
#1530
Black '99

 

adp : 1
dorgun1 : 0

 

Hmmmmmmm, Atomic Lightning, Hmmmmmmm....

------------------
2000 Black Lightning
PSP full meal deal on order
SnugLid
BedRug
Wet Okole seat covers

13.870 @ 100.52

NEED MORE MONEY!!!
(money seems to be directly proportional to speed, HMMMMM...)

jacobs@revealed.net

 

Hi Ya adp and all. If you really like these braintwisters, You will go ballistic at this
site. Its called "Shroedingers Cat Discussion Group" Give it a look, Its a ball. http://members.boardhost.com/markviii/

 

i was wondering when the missing "hard drive" atomic info was going to surface. adp, you don't live near the deser.............

[This message has been edited by MRBBQMAN (edited 06-16-2000).]

 

There was this brown cloud that blew in from New Mexico after the fire. Hmm..........

My computer won't shut down anymore. Hmm....

I can see in the dark now without a light. Hmm..........

I seem to have one less electron in my outer shell. Hmm.........

Heisenberg's uncertanty principle seems to be a little more uncertain. Hmm.........

Live long and prosper!

adp



[This message has been edited by adp (edited 06-16-2000).]

 

I think the most important thing about any well written test, is that it tests the persons knowledge of the SUBJECT BEING TESTED, and doesn't expect the test taker to "outsmart" the person writing the test. Major problem in college level testing was that the professors that had a problem with "natural born test takers" would write thier questions specifically to foil such "techniques" for some psychotic reason. Personally, I think they just needed to relax, and not worry so much about outsmarting thier students. There are many different ways to succeed in life...therefore, as long as you get the correct answer, its nobody's business HOW you got the correct answer, but your own.

 

Atom, (boy does that fit this thread).

I agree. I loved to take tests. You needed no knowledge of the subject matter, just a little insight into the makers attitude.

My real point is: nothing is certain.

As dorgun1 pointed out in his answer "extend approximately"

If the question was asked that way, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

To go from the "certainty" of a school or college environment to the "uncertainty" of the real world is an interesting journey. It seems to me that places of learning should dwell on the learning process and not on rote answers to obscure questions.

I was not really popular in my PhD program at UW. No one wanted to address these educational questions, so I dropped out and became an Airline Pilot. Best thing I ever did. It sure beat working for a living!

As far as I am able to determine, no one addresses these questions to this day.

Keep those cards and letters coming, folks. We'll solve this one yet!

Joe Bftlsplk

(adp)

 

Also, I found out that an electron
does not "move" from one shell to another.

It disappears from one shell and reappears in another shell. Where is it ? during the change ?

and is this similar to
how they transport matter from the ship to a planet in Star Trek ?

 

"I canna hold her any more, Cap'n. She's gonna blow!"

"Roger that, Scotty. Don't worry, we'll simply hide between electron shells and return when it's all over!"

"Aye, Cap'n."

"Steady as she goes."

"Aye, Cap'n."

adp