Abstract

A classical electrodynamic geometrical packing model for the structure of the atom is developed based on the derived universal electrodynamic force law. This model incorporates the physical structures of electrons from the classical electrodynamic string model of elementary particles. From the physical characteristics of real electrons this work derives, using combinatorial geometry, the number and orientation of electrons that will pack into the various physical shells about the nucleus in agreement with the observed structure of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The constraints used in the combinatorial geometry derivation are based upon simple ring dipole magnet experiments and spherical symmetry. This model of the atom, based on finite-size ring electrons, gives rise to a new mechanism for the binding of atoms to form molecules. Instead of valence point electrons performing orbits about two nuclei to bind them together, stationary ring electrons bind atoms together electrically and magnetically. Each electron acts as a small ring magnet. From a magnetic basis the model explains the reason why the periodic table has only seven periods. The new classical model predicts new states for the stationary electron in the extreme ultraviolet not possible for orbiting point electrons in quantum type theories. NASA rocket space probes found 64 lines in the emission spectrum of hydrogen in the extreme ultraviolet in perfect agreement with the predictions of this new ring model of the hydrogen atom. Arguments are given showing the superiority of the classical model of the atom over relativistic quantum models.