Why do electrons have discrete energy states when they are bound to a nucleas and not when they are free for example in an electron beam. Why doesn't an electron beam have certain specified energies like bound electrons do.
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Qmechanic
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Moiz khokhar
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1Have you studied solutions to the Schrodinger equation for the finite potential well? – Quantum Mechanic Jul 17 '23 at 16:39
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1The boundary conditions of a bound electron (in for example an infinite potential well) are such that there are only certain integer energies allowed. You can check this in any introductory quantum mechanics text. No such conditions exist for a free electron. – agaminon Jul 17 '23 at 16:39
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2Boundary conditions – Verktaj Jul 17 '23 at 16:49
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1Moiz you should say from what level of physics you ask, just a school kid or a student – trula Jul 17 '23 at 16:51
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1Possible duplicates: https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/73394/2451 , https://physics.stackexchange.com/q/65636/2451 and links therein. – Qmechanic Jul 17 '23 at 17:27