Marlin31 Oct 6, 2023:

Frank, the authors describe the atom in terms of Newtonian mechanics and use the planetary atom model. This approach is intended for biologists. Of course, this is an oversimplification. But it works well in this situation.

Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D. Oct 5, 2023:

Yes, dissipation of energy is necessary in both instances.

The minimum total potential energy principle is a fundamental concept used in physics and engineering. It dictates that at low temperatures a structure or body shall deform or displace to a position that (locally) minimizes the total potential energy, with the lost potential energy being converted into kinetic energy (specifically heat).

A free proton and free electron will tend to combine to form the lowest energy state (the ground state) of a hydrogen atom, the most stable configuration. This is because that state's energy is 13.6 electron volts (eV) lower than when the two particles separated by an infinite distance. The dissipation in this system takes the form of spontaneous emission of electromagnetic radiation, which increases the entropy of the surroundings.
A rolling ball will end up stationary at the bottom of a hill, the point of minimum potential energy. The reason is that as it rolls downward under the influence of gravity, friction produced by its motion transfers energy in the form of heat of the surroundings with an attendant increase in entropy.

Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D. Oct 5, 2023:

Thank you, Marlin31. The language is inexact.
Absent friction, the ball on a hill will not settle at the bottom of the hill but will oscillate up and down, just like a pendulum.
An electron in any orbit around the proton has both the kinetic and potential energy.

Marlin31 Oct 5, 2023:

See the whole quotation:
https://vk.com/@gene_pot-002-01
Если положить мяч на склон холма, то он будет притягиваться к Земле, и это притяжение заставит его скатиться вниз настолько низко, насколько это возможно - на площадку перед холмом. Электроны ведут себя аналогично: протоны их притягивают, и они спрыгивают на самые нижние уровни

The authors speak about a potential energy.

Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D. Oct 5, 2023:

Why only potential energy? An electron in an atom has both a kinetic and a potential energy. It is the total energy that is quantized, leading to the energy level structure in an atom.

Marlin31 Oct 5, 2023:

Не стал бы использовать буквальный перевод, исходник написан довольно необычно. Написал бы что-то вроде: This is due to the fact that any system tends (tries/ has a tendency) to attain minimum potential energy.
Примеры можно посмотреть тут:
https://www.google.com/search?q=" attain minimum potential ...