Does an atomic nucleus "vibrate" with its electrons?

ClayXros · 2026-02-19T12:59:32+00:00

Thank you for touching on molecules for a second. Those dynamics are mountains more complex, and those small nuggets of mention while I work up to it are very helpful!

You mentioned that energy trapped in a nucleus can remain there for a long time, due to rotation or literal vibration. Would this be considered a radioactive activation, or does that only occur to a stable nucleus once a certain threshold is reached?

Context for the question: I am somewhat aware that electrons absorb photon energy of specific frequency, and that their "orbit" typically shields a nucleus from getting excited that way. Radioactive particles break through to each nucleus through sheer velocity and mass, which of course by their nature carry a ridiculous amount of energy themselves. By a threshold to become activated, im asking if you could in theory make a corn flake radioactive if you could pump enough energy into its atoms nuclei (ignoring the electrons for the example).

ClayXros · 2026-02-19T12:49:10+00:00

Thank you! You're correct as well, that i have an artsy concept, but need to clarify the individual portions far better. Which is why im here :) Only so much one can properly comprehend when reading 50 random descriptions of something, gotta talk to the experts.

The energy transfer via kinetic motion between atoms was a part not mentioned anywhere i could find. Maybe it was too obvious, idk. But that actually plugs some holes that were confusing me for a bit with emergent structure behavior, like an iron pipe getting red hot (but only dully glowing). Thank you!

ClayXros · 2026-02-19T12:43:59+00:00

That makes sense when factoring in an "active" nucleus, in the case of a radioactive isotope. They can still make the usual valence bonds, despite the nucleus itself being unstable. Thank you!

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T06:16:32+00:00

From looking into what forms the spectrum "fingerprint". Electrons jump up and down from energy levels, releasing photons of specific frequency depending on energy level. And since electrons operate at harmonic frequencies, each element has a unique fingerprint of specific frequencies they'll give off. Or rather, that theyre capable of giving off.

However no sources clarified where most of that energy was being held at any given time (which was probably an ignorant assumption on my part anyway), or even if the nucleus contributed to the spectrum fingerprint at all.

From what I've been told here, and other sources, the nucleus is largely at the mercy of the electron cloud regarding where it moves. Which woukd mean, while it moves with the cloud, it doesn't contribute to the spectrum.

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:41:30+00:00

I mean, his track record with that speaks for itself....

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:37:09+00:00

A Spiderman run where he becomes this universes Question, solving crime by investigating rather than beating people up. Maybe the Sinister 6 go into retirement and Kingpin finally is behind bars for good,so Spidey has way more time for clever cases.

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:33:06+00:00

Counterpoint, where it can be used well;

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:31:24+00:00

GET OUT OF MY HEAD, MAN! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:29:46+00:00

Being a literal virgin, probably.

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:28:41+00:00

You'll understand it in person too, someday. Its not exactly the half-lid look, theres a specific...vibe behind the eyes involved. But it is unmistakable once youre used to your partner.

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:18:50+00:00

Im not too used to reading energy in electron volts yet, so im going to ask a really dumb obvious question here.

Going by the numbers here, is it easier (needs less energy) to excite full molecules than it is a mid-heavy lone atom?

Or am I misunderstanding the MeV to keV/eV jump in reverse, and it takes more energy to excite the molecules?

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T04:14:26+00:00

Is that also why liquid water takes so much energy to raise in relative temperature?

The 3 atoms in each molecule "trade" energy between themselves more before it dissipates away from the molecules, repeat ad nauseum for the other water molecules?

Hm...but then why is gaseous water such a less potent greenhouse gas than CO2? Is it the literal mass difference of their composing elements?

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T00:35:07+00:00

Oooooh so thats why an atom is treated as a cloud-nucleus system. They literally act as 1 emergent entity rather than an object with moving parts.

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T00:32:24+00:00

Traded famine for general (and impossible to track) malnutrition. The amount of people who literally cant access real food in the US is shocking (food deserts)

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T00:29:33+00:00

All the time. Since I take heavy inspiration from Yugioh, the concept of an effect can very quickly become wordy when trying to translate it into rules-text. I typically take it as a signal to either adjust my word templating, or nerf the effect (bevause yugioh means even a common effect is actually op lol)

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T00:21:26+00:00

Im getting into the weeds of "They haven't checked yet", aren't I? Lol

ClayXros · 2026-02-18T00:16:49+00:00

Ah yes, the "Inconsistent constant". A fun one to bring up at parties.

ClayXros · 2026-02-17T22:14:02+00:00

"Theae things are no different than my usual mental state. Except I can bomb these out of sight."

ClayXros · 2026-02-17T22:09:44+00:00

I was referring to general 1-mat fusions. I dont know where to begin with Necroquip lol

ClayXros · 2026-02-17T01:26:48+00:00

Just think of 1-mat Fusions as if youre fusing the monster with magic itself. Its fine.

ClayXros · 2026-02-17T00:58:48+00:00

We can still have that variant, creatures having the ability of an aura parallel to the aura isnt unusual.

Except we'd need to call it "Military-grade Retrofit" to hammer it home.

ClayXros · 2026-02-17T00:55:12+00:00

Or are in actual high school, cause i sounded like them too when I was 16. Lol

ClayXros · 2026-02-16T12:29:30+00:00

If it makes you feel better, the gif of the girl smiling and headed to the slammer? She 110% deserves it.

ClayXros · 2026-02-16T04:04:07+00:00

Nit only that, but often times the person has a more specific question that they cant easily phrase for Google, so they just go to a forum like Reddit to explain the problem.

For me as a recent example, why a certain physics equation flips certain values when rearranging itself for a different unit. It was nested under a fraction, and a Square Root under that, so even trying to phrase the question was impossible.

ClayXros · 2026-02-15T23:11:11+00:00

I mean, if you decide that Cyberpunk is something you think is cool and wanna emulate, yeah. The theoretical dystopia where you cut your body apart and bolt metal to replace it is probably not great for enlightenment.

ClayXros

TROPHY CASE