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Question

Why electron can not exist in the nucleus of an atom?


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Solution

Electrons

  • They have a negative charge, and if they can exist in the nucleus, the positive charges will neutralize them. The radius of atomic nuclei is 10-15m when Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is applied, and if electrons were in the nucleus, the highest uncertainty inside its position would have been 10-15m.
  • We know that the size of an atomic nucleus is in the range of 10-15m.
  • The uncertainty in the position of an electron inside a nucleus should be 10-15m
  • Mass of electron=9.1x10-31Kg

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

  • By Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
    x.ph4πmomentum(p)=mass(m)xvelocity(v)vh4πx.m=6.626x10-344x3.14x10-15x9.1x10-31=5.79x1010m/s
  • As a result, the velocity uncertainty will be 5.79x1010m/s which is far more than the speed of light, which is not possible.
  • In the atom, no electron or particle has an energy greater than 4MeV. As a result, electrons do not exist within the nucleus.

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