Table of Contents
What are electron orbits called?
In quantum mechanics each orbiting electron is represented by a mathematical expression known as a wave function—something like a vibrating guitar string laid out along the path of the electron’s orbit. These waveforms are called orbitals. See also quantum mechanics: Bohr’s theory of the atom.
What is an electron orbital path?
circuit: The path through which electrical current flows.
When an atom loses an electron it is said to be?
When an atom gains/loses an electron, the atom becomes charged, and is called an ion. Gaining an electron results in a negative charge, so the atom is an anion. Losing an electron results in a positive charge, so atom ion is a cation.
What is an atomic orbital in physics?
An atomic orbital is a mathematical term in atomic theory and quantum mechanics that describes the position and wavelike behaviour of an electron in an atom. A maximum of two electrons, each with its own spin quantum number s, will occupy each of those orbitals.
How do electrons fill the orbitals of a nucleus?
Electrons occupy orbitals of low energy (closer to the nucleus) until they enter those of higher energy. If there is a choice of equal-energy orbitals, as far as possible, they fill the orbitals independently. Where appropriate, this filling of orbitals alone is known as Hund’s law.
What is the maximum number of electrons in an orbital?
Furthermore, it can be noted that each atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons. In completely occupied atomic orbitals, i.e. the atomic orbitals containing two electrons, each of the electrons has an equal and opposite spin when compared to the other.
How to predict the presence of an electron in a region?
The presence of an electron in such a region is predicted by the mathematical form of the atomic orbital. It is important to note that the characteristics of each atomic orbital are dependent upon the values of the following quantum numbers: