Does the potential change as an electron moves within an atom?

[granpa]

as I understand it the wave function of an electron around the nucleus is determined by the potential. but doesn't the potential change when the electron moves to a higher or lower shell/subshell.

 

[tim_lou]

The usual schrodinger's eq doesn't deal with self-potentials (self-energies). It only addresses electrons in an external potential. This potential is constant no matter where the electron is.

 

[Entropia]

Yes, the potential does change as an electron moves within an atom. The wave function of an electron is determined by the potential, which is created by the positively charged nucleus and the negatively charged electron. As the electron moves to a higher or lower shell/subshell, the distance between the electron and the nucleus changes, and therefore the potential changes. This change in potential affects the energy levels of the electron, which can lead to the absorption or emission of photons. The concept of potential energy is crucial in understanding the behavior and movement of electrons within an atom.