Atom Nucleus: Orbital Path & Pattern Explained

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    Atoms Orbital Path
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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the nucleus of an atom is not surrounded by circular orbits in the same manner as planetary orbits. Instead, according to quantum mechanics (QM), electrons occupy regions known as subshells, which are defined by the Pauli exclusion principle. The maximum number of electrons in these subshells is determined by their quantum states, with the innermost shell accommodating two electrons and subsequent shells allowing for eight. Bohr's model has been largely replaced by modern QM, which provides a more accurate understanding of electron behavior around the nucleus.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
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shina
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An nucleus of an atom is really surrounded by circular orbits or not. And why there is a pattern that orbit k can contain only two electrons, orbit l can contain only 8 electrons and so on. But at some places I observe that the nucleus of an atom is surrounded by cloud like structure containing electrons. So what is true, according to Bohr's model of atom electron moves around nucleus in a specific place which is later considered orbit.
 
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shina said:
An nucleus of an atom is really surrounded by circular orbits or not.
The answer is no, not in the same sense as planets revolves around the sun. There is one fundamental principle in QM which prevents you from tracking the position of those electrons in any given time.
shina said:
So what is true, according to Bohr's model of atom electron moves around nucleus in a specific place which is later considered orbit.
Bohr's model of atom has long been put aside and replaced by modern QM.
shina said:
And why there is a pattern that orbit k can contain only two electrons, orbit l can contain only 8 electrons and so on.
What is meant by "orbit" around the nucleus does not exactly have the same physical meaning as the planetary orbits. Orbit in QM mechanics refers to the so-called subshell of the corresponding atom. Following the theory of each electron being subjected under an effective potential, it turns out that you can describe the orbit/subshell of each electron similar to those as in hydrogen-like atom. The maximum number of electrons allowed to occupy a given orbit/subshell is required by Pauli exclusion principle.
 
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blue_leaf77 said:
The answer is no, no in the same sense as planets revolves around the sun. There is one fundamental principle in QM which prevents you from tracking the position of those electrons in any given time.

Bohr's model of atom has long been put aside and replaced by modern QM.

What is meant by "orbit" around the nucleus does not exactly have the same physical meaning as the planetary orbits. Orbit in QM mechanics refers to the so-called subshell of the corresponding atom. Following the theory of each electron being subjected under an effective potential, it turns out that you can describe the orbit/subshell of each electron similar to those as in hydrogen-like atom. The maximum number of electrons allowed to occupy a given orbit/subshell is required by Pauli exclusion principle.
Yaa I am truly satisfied with you but I don't know the reason that why limited number of electrons are there in discrete shell around nucleus of an atom
 
Pauli principle: No two electrons can be in the same state. The innermost shell just has two states (spin up and spin down for the same wave function in space), the next shell has 8 (4 pairs of spin up and down each), and so on. A very reasonable sounding, but not really accurate model: larger shells have "more space" for more different states. A better explanation would need some more understanding of quantum mechanics.
 
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mfb said:
Pauli principle: No two electrons can be in the same state. The innermost shell just has two states (spin up and spin down for the same wave function in space), the next shell has 8 (4 pairs of spin up and down each), and so on. A very reasonable sounding, but not really accurate model: larger shells have "more space" for more different states. A better explanation would need some more understanding of quantum mechanics.
I am fully satisfied with you mfb. Thanks for your reply
 

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