Quantum Mechanical Model and Electron Configurations

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the Quantum Mechanical Model and the specifics of electron configurations in atoms.

Quantum Mechanical Model

Describes the probability of finding an electron as a fuzzy cloud surrounding the nucleus.

Atomic Orbital

A region of space where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

Radial Distribution Curve

Illustrates the probability of finding an electron in an orbital.

p-orbitals

Dumbbell-shaped orbitals that have three orientations along the x, y, and z axes.

d-orbitals

Five orbitals with various spatial orientations.

f-orbitals

Seven orbitals that have specific shapes and orientations.

Aufbau Principle

Electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals available first.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

No more than two electrons can occupy the same orbital with opposite spins.

Hund’s Rule

Electrons will fill degenerate orbitals singly before pairing.

Electron Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals.

Noble Gas Core Configuration

Abbreviates the electron configuration by using the nearest noble gas to represent core electrons.

Excited State

A state of an atom where electrons occupy higher energy levels than ground state.

S-orbital

Spherical shaped orbital that can hold up to two electrons.

Electron Cloud Model

A visual representation of where electrons are likely to be found.

Core Electrons

Electrons located inside the noble gas core.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell that participate in bonding.

Energy Sublevel

The discrete levels of energy associated with atomic orbitals.

Shells and Orbitals

Shells contain orbitals, which are the paths that electrons take around the nucleus.