by JohnD » Sun Feb 28, 2010 12:34 pm
Thank you, Dick!
I hesitate to ask a Q that reveals my ignorance, but what about the other particles?
I find that protons and electrons also have spin of 1/2, and as they normally go in pairs, an atom will have integer spin, from that source.
But aren't these lithium ions? With an electron missing? So the spin due to protons and elctrons is not integer.
Let me work this out:
Lithium-6 atoms, with three protons, electrons and neutrons, will have non-integer spin, 9x1/2=4.5, but as an ion it will have integer spin.
Lithium-7 atoms, with three protons and electrons and four neutrons, will have integer spin, 10x1/2=5, but without an electron it won't.
OK.
But, we are told that Pauli prevents the collapse of ordinary matter, if it is composed of fermions.
What about atoms that have integer spin, like lithium-7, or any other atom that as such has integer spin and is therefore a boson?
Professor, I'm not challenging you, I'm asking for clarity!
John
Thank you, Dick!
I hesitate to ask a Q that reveals my ignorance, but what about the other particles?
I find that protons and electrons also have spin of 1/2, and as they normally go in pairs, an atom will have integer spin, from that source.
But aren't these lithium ions? With an electron missing? So the spin due to protons and elctrons is not integer.
Let me work this out:
Lithium-6 atoms, with three protons, electrons and neutrons, will have non-integer spin, 9x1/2=4.5, but as an ion it will have integer spin.
Lithium-7 atoms, with three protons and electrons and four neutrons, will have integer spin, 10x1/2=5, but without an electron it won't.
OK.
But, we are told that Pauli prevents the collapse of ordinary matter, if it is composed of fermions.
What about atoms that have integer spin, like lithium-7, or any other atom that as such has integer spin and is therefore a boson?
Professor, I'm not challenging you, I'm asking for clarity!
John