Electron in a Box

Energy Level: Box Width: Box Height: Box Depth:

X: 0.000 | Y: 0.000 | Z: 0.000

Electron in a Box Simulation

This simulation demonstrates the quantum mechanical concept of an electron confined in a three-dimensional potential well, often called a "particle in a box".

Simulated Particle:

We are simulating an electron, a fundamental particle with the following properties:

Mass: 9.1 × 10^-31 kg
Charge: -1.6 × 10^-19 C
Spin: 1/2

Key Concepts:

Energy Levels: In quantum mechanics, electrons can only exist at specific energy levels. Increasing the energy level changes the electron's probability distribution within the box.
Box Dimensions: The size of the box represents a potential well that confines the electron. Adjusting the width, height, or depth changes the available space and affects the electron's wave function.
Probability Distribution: The electron's position is represented by a probability distribution derived from its wave function. The red sphere shows where the electron is most likely to be found at any given moment, but it's important to note that this is a simplified visualization of a complex quantum state.

Use the controls to adjust the energy level and box dimensions. Observe how these changes affect the electron's probability distribution within the box. Remember, this is a simplified model and does not account for effects like spin-orbit coupling or interactions with other particles.

Note on the Model: This simulation uses the infinite square well model, which assumes the potential energy inside the box is constant (typically set to zero) and the walls have infinite potential. While this is an idealized scenario that doesn't occur in nature, it serves as an excellent tool for understanding fundamental quantum mechanical concepts.