Spin orbit coupling/Filling order/Nucleus

In summary, the energy levels of electrons and nuclei are split into two due to spin-orbit coupling. However, while the electrons have weak splitting and are first filled by 3 unpaired electrons, the nuclei have a strong splitting leading to the "1p" level being split into "1p3/2" and "1p1/2". This results in the "1p3/2" level being filled first in the second shell. The reason for this difference is due to the crystal overlap in atoms, making it difficult to predict the filling order a priori.
  • #1
em3ry
Gold Member
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Which tends to fill first:

p3/2 or p1/2?
d5/2 or d3/2?

And why is there no spin orbit coupling in the nucleus?
 
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  • #2
I just googled it and came to this link https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/58135/shape-of-the-p1-2-orbital/58442#58442. If you scroll to the first answer there is a picture. Judging from that picture I guess p1/2 has a slightly lower energy then 3/2 so I guess it will be filled first. Same goes for d orbitals. This for an isolated atoms, if you have a crystal overlap will occur and it is difficult to say a priori what would happen.

I don't understand your question about the nucleus.
 
  • #3
(Your software messed up the images a little bit)
Electron energy levels with spin orbit coupling:
latest
Nuclear energy levels:
latest
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net...g_order.svg/revision/latest?cb=20210106233016

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net...g.Order.svg/revision/latest?cb=20210106112220
 
  • #4
If you spend a few lines to actually explain your question someone might help you.
 
  • #5
As can be seen in the image above each electron energy level is split into 2. (e.g. 3/2 and 5/2.) But the nucleus has no such splitting
 
  • #6
Actually, vice versa.
Electrons have very weak spin-orbit splitting for small elements, so that for example 2p orbitals are first filled by 3 unpaired electrons, to N - irrespective of any 2p1/2 vs 2p3/2 difference.
Whereas nuclei have a strong spin-orbit splitting, so "1p" is split into "1p3/2" and "1p/2"
 
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1. What is spin orbit coupling?

Spin orbit coupling is a phenomenon in which the spin and orbital angular momentum of an electron are coupled together. This means that the direction of the electron's spin affects its orbital motion and vice versa.

2. How does spin orbit coupling affect the energy levels of an atom?

Spin orbit coupling causes the energy levels of an atom to split into multiple sub-levels. This is because the coupling between spin and orbital angular momentum results in slightly different energies for electrons with different spin orientations.

3. What is the filling order for electrons in an atom?

The filling order for electrons in an atom follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons will fill the lowest energy levels first before moving to higher energy levels. This means that the 1s orbital will be filled before the 2s orbital, and so on.

4. How does spin orbit coupling affect the behavior of electrons in a nucleus?

Spin orbit coupling affects the behavior of electrons in a nucleus by causing them to have different energies and therefore different probabilities of being found in different regions of the nucleus. This can impact the stability and reactivity of the nucleus.

5. What role does the nucleus play in spin orbit coupling?

The nucleus plays a crucial role in spin orbit coupling as it contains the positively charged protons that interact with the negatively charged electrons. This interaction is what causes the coupling between spin and orbital angular momentum. Additionally, the nucleus also determines the overall energy levels of the atom.

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