Do Slater's Rules and Hund's Rule Contradict Each Other?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the relationship between Slater's Rules and Hund's Rule in quantum chemistry. Slater's Rules categorize electrons by principal quantum number (n) and spin (l), leading to a descending order of effective charge from [1s] to [4f]. In contrast, Hund's Rule indicates that electrons fill orbitals in a specific order that does not align with the ascending quantum number sequence, suggesting that the 6s orbital may have a different effective charge than the 4f orbital. The apparent contradiction raises questions about the compatibility of these two fundamental rules in electron configuration.

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  • Understanding of quantum chemistry principles
  • Familiarity with electron configuration and orbital filling
  • Knowledge of Slater's Rules for effective nuclear charge calculation
  • Comprehension of Hund's Rule regarding electron distribution in orbitals
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  • Study the application of Slater's Rules in calculating effective nuclear charge
  • Explore the implications of Hund's Rule on electron configuration
  • Investigate the order of orbital filling and its exceptions in transition metals
  • Examine case studies of electron configurations that illustrate the interplay between Slater's and Hund's Rules
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Chemistry students, educators, and professionals in quantum chemistry or materials science who seek to deepen their understanding of electron behavior and atomic structure.

Paperfish
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There's something that doesn't make sense to me regarding these two rules. I was hoping someone could pat me on the head and tell me that everything was okay, and that both Slater's Rules and Hunds rule were actually complimentary and correct.



So when beginning to explain Slater's Rules, electrons are grouped by principal quantum number (n), and by their spin (l). Except s and p share the same group. ie:

[1s] [2s, 2p] [3s, 3p] [3d] [4s, 4p], [4d], [4f]


When USING Slaters rules you get the levels of effective charge in constantly decending amounts from [1s] all the way down to [4s]



However... what doesn't make sense to me is Hunds Rule that seems to contradict this. Hunds rule says they DON'T accend by quantum number and spin, but electrons actually fill up like this:

[1s] [2s] [2p] [3s] [3p] [4s] [3d] [4p].....

And that (carrying the sequence on) 4f orbitals don't fill up until AFTER the 6s orbitals.


Would this necessarily suggest that electrons in the 6s orbital have less effective charge than electrons in the 4f orbital? And if so, why on Earth does Slaters Rules state they must be in plain old accending quantum order?

Confused. Can anyone fill me in on this?
 
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Sorry, just spotted a typo. I meant to say:

When USING Slaters rules you get the levels of effective charge in constantly decending amounts from [1s] all the way down to [4f]Would someone be able to inform me if I've even submitted this to the correct forum?
 

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