Do low atomic numbers not obey Moseley's law?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mukul
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atomic Law Numbers
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Moseley's law, which accurately predicts the ionization energies of elements, is applicable primarily to elements with atomic numbers (Z) greater than or equal to 10. Helium's k-alpha value of 24.5 eV deviates from the expected 10.2 eV derived from Moseley's law, highlighting the limitations of the law for low atomic numbers. The shielding effect of electrons on the nucleus is less than anticipated, necessitating a correction in the Rydberg formula, specifically E=13.6(Z-1)^2(1/1^2 - 1/2^2). This discrepancy raises questions about the fundamental properties that change as atomic number increases.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Moseley's law and its implications for atomic structure
  • Familiarity with the Rydberg formula for ionization energy calculations
  • Knowledge of electron shielding effects in multi-electron atoms
  • Basic concepts of atomic number and periodic table trends
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the limitations of Moseley's law for low atomic number elements
  • Study the concept of electron shielding and its impact on ionization energies
  • Explore the Rydberg formula and its applications in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the properties of elements as atomic number increases, particularly for Z ≥ 10
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, chemistry students, and researchers interested in atomic theory, ionization energies, and the behavior of elements in the periodic table.

mukul
Messages
17
Reaction score
2
Helium has k-alpha of 24.5 eV whereas if we derive it using Moseley's law, then it is supposed to be 10.2 eV

Also I then looked into many sources and found that Moseley's graph talks about elements having z>=10 only

Later I found in few sources that the assumption that "one electron shields the nucleus and thus we should replace Z by Z-1 in Rydberg formula" is not entirely correct
E=13.6(Z-1)^2(\frac{1}{1^2}-\frac{1}{2^2})
as the effect due to shielding is little less than expected and should be taken into account.
source: https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ion-energy-than-hydrogen.454607/#post-3028358

My question is why is this effect (that K-shell electron's shielding effect is less than 1) not applicable as we move up in the periodic table i.e. for z>=10
 
Ok i will try to reword my question. Why does Moseley's law applicable only on z>10. What property changes after z=10.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K