Lecture 9 - Electron Structure

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on electron structure, including quantum numbers, principles of electron configuration, and characteristics of multi-electron atoms.

What does the principal quantum number (n) determine in an electron wavefunction?

The energy (size or shell) of the electron wavefunction.

What does the azimuthal quantum number (l) indicate?

The shape (or subshell) and the number of planar nodes, with possible values of l from 0 to n-1.

What are the values of l for s, p, and d orbitals?

s has l=0, p has l=1, and d has l=2.

What does the magnetic quantum number (m1) specify?

The orientation (or orbital) of the electron, with values m1 = -1, 0, +1.

What is the spin quantum number (ms) and its possible values?

The spin quantum number describes the 'spin' of the electron, with values of ms = +1/2 and -1/2.

What does the Pauli Exclusion Principle state?

No two electrons in an atom may occupy the same quantum state, meaning they cannot have the same four quantum numbers.

What does the Aufbau Principle dictate?

Electrons in atoms (and molecules) generally exist in their lowest possible energy state, known as the ground state.

For helium (2 electrons), what is its ground state electron configuration?

1s2.

How does electron-electron repulsion affect multi-electron atoms?

Electrons within an orbital repel each other, which alters energy levels.

What is orbital shielding?

The effect where inner electrons shield outer electrons from nuclear attraction, altering energy levels.

How does filling electrons into orbitals typically get represented?

Through an orbital diagram that shows the number of electrons and their spins in various atomic orbitals.

What are valence electrons?

The outermost 'shell' of electrons that determine an atom's reactivity and group in the periodic table.

What is Hund's Rule?

The lowest energy configuration in orbitals of equal energy is the one with the maximum number of unpaired electrons with parallel spins.

What experiment demonstrated that individual atoms have quantized magnetic movement?

The Stern-Gerlach experiment, specifically with silver atoms.