Electronic Structure of Atoms

These flashcards cover key concepts in the electronic structure of atoms as described in the lecture notes.

What is the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?

It states that it is impossible to know both the exact position and momentum of an electron simultaneously.

What is a photon?

A photon is a quantized packet of light energy.

What is the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?

It states that it is impossible to know both the exact position and momentum of an electron simultaneously.

What is a photon?

A photon is a quantized packet of light energy.

What does the Bohr model of an atom suggest about electron orbits?

Electrons move in certain allowed orbits around the nucleus at specific energy levels.

What is the principal quantum number (n)?

It indicates the size and energy of an orbital, taking positive integral values (1, 2, 3, …).

Define the wave function in quantum mechanics.

Mathematical functions that describe the electron in an atom and whose square gives the probability density.

What are atomic orbitals?

Regions in an atom where electrons are likely to be found, defined by quantum numbers.

What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.

What is Hund’s rule?

Electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly with the same spin before pairing up.

What is electron configuration?

The distribution of electrons among various orbitals in an atom.

What characterizes a many-electron atom compared to a hydrogen atom?

The energy levels are altered by electron-electron repulsion, leading to distinct energy levels for different orbitals.

What are the shapes of s, p, and d orbitals?

S orbitals are spherical, p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped, and d orbitals have more complex shapes with lobes.

What is the relationship between an atom's electron configuration and its position in the periodic table?

Elements in the same group have similar valence electron configurations.