Does a Completed Electron Orbital Differ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of electrons in completed versus incomplete electron orbitals, specifically focusing on the 2p orbital in atoms like oxygen. Participants explore theoretical implications, particularly in relation to angular momentum and responses to external magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that electrons in a completed orbital behave differently than those in an incomplete orbital, particularly regarding angular momentum.
  • One participant notes that for a closed shell atom, the total orbital and spin angular momentum is zero, implying a distinct behavior compared to an incomplete shell.
  • Another participant questions how the closed shell would behave differently from its incomplete version, seeking further clarification.
  • It is suggested that a closed shell atom in a weak magnetic field would not exhibit energy spectrum splitting, while removing an electron would lead to observable splitting due to the Zeeman effect.
  • A participant mentions that in many-electron atoms, orbitals are not uniquely defined and that doubly occupied orbitals differ in size and energy from singly occupied ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are differences in behavior between completed and incomplete orbitals, but the specifics of these differences and their implications remain contested and unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on definitions of orbital behavior and the complexity introduced by many-electron systems, which may affect the clarity of comparisons between completed and incomplete orbitals.

Ryan Reed
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In an atom of something like oxygen with a completed 2p orbital, do the paired electrons within the orbital behave differently than the same 2p orbital that is uncompleted? Bear with me and try to understand this question as I am a little fuzzy on the subject and I don't know how else to ask this. If I say anything wrong, please correct me.
 
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Well, if your question is whether the electrons behave differently in both cases, then yes obviously they must be different. In particular, the total orbital and spin angular momentum for a closed shell atom are zero.
 
blue_leaf77 said:
Well, if your question is whether the electrons behave differently in both cases, then yes obviously they must be different. In particular, the total orbital and spin angular momentum for a closed shell atom are zero.
How would the closed shell behave differently from its incomplete version?
 
For example if we put a closed shell atom in a weak magnetic field, and suppose we can neglect nuclear spin, there will be no splitting in the energy spectrum. In contrast, if one electron were removed from the same atom, splitting due to Zeeman effect will be observed.
 

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