What is the significance of orbital angular momentum in atomic structure?

AI Thread Summary
Orbital angular momentum is a quantum property associated with the angular momentum of electrons in their respective orbitals around an atomic nucleus. It parallels classical angular momentum but is represented by an operator and features discrete states. Each type of orbital corresponds to a specific angular momentum value: s orbitals have L=0 and are spherically symmetric, while p orbitals have L=1 and exhibit a dumbbell shape. The angular momentum influences the orbital's shape, while the radial aspect is determined by linear momentum, which describes the electron's motion toward or away from the nucleus.
Garvit Goel
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
What is orbital angular momentum? Is it associated to the revolution of electron around nucleus?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Yes. Do you know what classical angular momentum is?
 
alxm said:
Yes. Do you know what classical angular momentum is?

yes, but never heard of orbital angular momentum before.
 
Garvit Goel said:
yes, but never heard of orbital angular momentum before.

Well, quantum angular momentum is like classical angular momentum, only that, as with all quantum properties, it's represented by an operator instead and has discrete states.

The energy states of an electron in an atom are 'orbitals', and 'orbital angular momentum' is the angular momentum that's associated with that particular orbital. The angular momentum state determines the angle-dependent part of the orbital's shape. s orbitals have L=0, zero angular momentum and are spherically symmetric, p orbitals have L=1 and are dumbbell-shaped, and so on. (the radial shape of the orbital, on the other hand, depends on the linear momentum, i.e. the motion towards and away from the nucleus, if you will.)
 

Thread 'Humidity of a saturated NaCl solution with anticaking additive'

I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
View full post »

Similar threads

Metaphor for orbital angular momentum?
Replies
1
Views
2K
I How to derive orbital angular momentum of spins in quantum mechanics?
Replies
2
Views
501
I Can there be structures made from neutrinos with angular momentum?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Relationship between k and orbital phase of solid state?
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Does K-40 Capture Electrons With Orbital Angular Momentum?
Replies
3
Views
2K
B Electron angular momentum, gyroscope?
Replies
14
Views
1K
I Why do all fermions have the same spin 1/2?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Angular momentum for a bullet and a rod attached to a ceiling
Replies
17
Views
1K
A Can Photon Have Orbital Angular Momentum?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Angular Momentum Problem: Mouse walking on a rotating turntable
Replies
5
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top