- #1
clm321
- 58
- 0
im having some issues understanding the way electrons orbit a nuclies. i know they don't orbit hte nuclies in a circle but in envelops. can someone describe how they move to me please
Electron Movement: Understand Orbit Around Nuclies
In summary, the electron's orbital paths are actually probability wave amplitudes and not physical orbits around the nucleus. There is no exact explanation for the motion of the electron, as it is not a point particle and can be found at different points in space around the nucleus. The concept of an orbital only describes the probability of finding the electron at a certain location when detected. It is possible for the electron to be outside of the atom due to electron tunneling, but this is very rare. However, this phenomenon is utilized in modern electronic devices.
- #2
LostConjugate
- 850
- 3
The orbital paths you are thinking of are the probability wave amplitudes, the points of space where the electron could be found around the nucleus. I do not think there is an exact explanation of the motion of the electron around the nucleus, however the electron is not identically a point particle and therefor may in someway surround the nucleus or partially at any point in time, though this contradicts other experiments.
There is no angular momentum in the lowest energy state of the hydrogen atom and that is something to think about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital
There is no angular momentum in the lowest energy state of the hydrogen atom and that is something to think about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital
- #3
DaveC426913
Gold Member
- 22,497
- 6,168
They are not orbits and they are not paths.
An orbital is nothing more than a description of the probability of where we will find an electron when we go to detect it. It says nothing about what that electron was doing before we detected it or what it will be doing after the detection. In fact, we cannot say what the electron is doing at any other time than at the moment when we detect it.
It is entiely possible that the electron miught find itself away from the atom and outside some physical barrier (electron tunneling).
An orbital is nothing more than a description of the probability of where we will find an electron when we go to detect it. It says nothing about what that electron was doing before we detected it or what it will be doing after the detection. In fact, we cannot say what the electron is doing at any other time than at the moment when we detect it.
It is entiely possible that the electron miught find itself away from the atom and outside some physical barrier (electron tunneling).
- #4
LostConjugate
- 850
- 3
DaveC426913 said:
Though very improbable. The gaussian function declines very quickly.
- #5
DaveC426913
Gold Member
- 22,497
- 6,168
LostConjugate said:
Not so improbable that we don't make excellent use of it in many modern electronic devices.
- #6
LostConjugate
- 850
- 3
DaveC426913 said:Not so improbable that we don't make excellent use of it in many modern electronic devices.
I think those devices rely on the electron "borrowing" a very small difference in energy though. Not enough to escape a stable orbital. I think anyways.
1. How do electrons move around the nucleus?
Electrons move around the nucleus in a specific pattern called an orbit. This orbit is determined by the energy level of the electron and is influenced by the attractive force of the positively charged nucleus.
2. What is the relationship between electron movement and energy levels?
The movement of electrons is closely related to their energy levels. Electrons with higher energy levels are found further away from the nucleus, while those with lower energy levels are found closer to the nucleus.
3. Do electrons follow a specific path around the nucleus?
No, electrons do not follow a specific path around the nucleus like planets around the sun. Instead, they move in a cloud-like formation, known as an orbital, which describes the probability of finding an electron in a certain area around the nucleus.
4. How do electrons transition between energy levels?
Electrons can transition between energy levels by either absorbing or releasing energy in the form of photons. This causes the electron to jump to a higher or lower energy level, respectively.
5. Can electrons change their orbit around the nucleus?
Yes, electrons can change their orbit around the nucleus through a process called electron excitation. This occurs when an external force, such as heat or light, causes the electron to gain energy and move to a higher energy level.
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