Electron oscillation in a Thomson atom

Thomson model · ch12-atoms

Inside a uniform positive sphere the electron feels a linear restoring force and oscillates harmonically. Vary R and Z to see how the predicted frequency changes.

Controls

Atomic number Z1

Atomic radius R (Angstrom)1.00 A

Initial displacement A (Angstrom)0.30 A

Live values

Angular frequency5.066e+29 rad/s

\omega = \sqrt{\frac{Ze^2}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 m_e R^3}}

Try this: Time axis is in units of 1e-17 s. Larger Z and smaller R give faster oscillation.

Electron oscillation in a Thomson atom

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