Introduction to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 4.28

Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions — David J. Griffiths

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · classical_electron_radius

Problem

If the electron were a classical solid sphere, with radius

r_c = \frac{e^2}{4\pi\epsilon_0 m c^2},

(the so-called classical electron radius, obtained by assuming the electron's mass is attributable to energy stored in its electric field, via the Einstein formula

E = mc^2

), and its angular momentum is

(1/2)\hbar

, then how fast (in m/s) would a point on the "equator" be moving? Does this model make sense? (Actually, the radius of the electron is known experimentally to be much less than

r_c

, but this only makes matters worse.)

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