Differences Between Bound and Unbound Electrons
Atoms are constructed of a central nucleus, containing positively-charged protons and uncharged neutrons, plus orbiting, negatively-charged electrons, in number equal to the number of protons. Although an electron carries a charge equivalent (though of opposite polarity) to that of a proton, its mass is a mere 1/1836th that of a proton. Some mistakenly think the electron isn’t a particle at all, but a cloud. This inaccurate notion doubtless arises from the cloud-like appearance of the probability distribution curve of an electron in its orbit. At any rate, an electron generally exhibits particle-like properties, and is best mentally envisioned as a particle. How the particle we call an electron behaves depends upon the condition in which we find it. There are important differences between bound and unbound electrons. The Free-Moving, Unbound…