Helium Ground State Treated in Classical Physics with Classical Zero-Point Radiation

Abstract

The ground state of the helium atom is considered within classical electrodynamics which includes classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation. Approximate energy balance between energy loss through emitted radiation and energy gain from classical zero-point radiation is found when the two electrons are treated as charges located on opposite ends of a diameter of a common circular orbit around the nucleus. The classical result gives approximately the same value as that given by the quantum calculation, but is a different value.