diff --git a/.zk/notebook.db b/.zk/notebook.db index c73fe53..f82e681 100644 Binary files a/.zk/notebook.db and b/.zk/notebook.db differ diff --git a/zk/Electrons.md b/zk/Electrons.md index 365013b..8d99226 100644 --- a/zk/Electrons.md +++ b/zk/Electrons.md @@ -1,6 +1,7 @@ --- tags: [physics, electricity] --- + # Electrons ## Shells @@ -9,8 +10,8 @@ Electrons orbit in concentric circuits around the nucleus of the atom. Each orbit is called a **shell**. Each shell can accommodate a maximum number of electrons. The shells are -designated by letters and filled in sequence moving out from the shell nearest to -the nucleus. +designated by letters and filled in sequence moving out from the shell nearest +to the nucleus. _The diagram below demonstrates shell naming conventions and the maximum number of electrons per shell._ @@ -20,9 +21,9 @@ of electrons per shell._ ## Valence The outer shell called the **valence shell** and the number of electrons it -contains, the **valence**. This part of the atom is the most important from -the point of view of electricity because it is from here that electrons can -escape the atom and where electrons from other atoms may join. +contains, the **valence**. This part of the atom is the most important from the +point of view of electricity because it is from here that electrons can escape +the atom and where electrons from other atoms may join. > The farther the valence shell is from the nucleus, the less attraction the > nucleus has on each valence electron. Thus the potential for the atom to gain @@ -45,6 +46,13 @@ In contrast **insulators** are atoms that stabilize themselves by absorbing valence electrons from other atoms to fill their valence shells, eliminating the free electrons. +> The propensity for the electrons within a conductor to move about and jump +> between atoms, swapping charge, is not something that is only activated when a +> voltage is applied. In fact, the electrons are always doing this, even in a +> piece of inert copper. The difference is they are doing it randomly and in all +> kinds of directions. It is only when a voltage is applied that the motion and +> exchange of electrons is forced in one consistent direction. + ### Semiconductors Semiconductive materials are midway between conductors and insulators: they are