Orbitals and Nucleus - Quick question

In summary, the reason why probability orbitals are needed for electrons but not for the nucleus is due to the difference in mass and size between the two particles. The electron orbitals are easier to calculate because of the known inter-nucleon potential energy function and the larger length scale. The nucleus can be treated as a point-like object in electronic structure calculations. However, the orbital model of the atom is an approximation and neglects electron correlation. Fine structure and hyperfine structure are higher corrections to the energy levels of the hydrogen atom that account for the nucleus having a nonzero size.
  • #1
Elpinetos
47
0
Just a quick question - how come that for electrons we need probability orbitals, but for the nucleus we don't?
Is it because of the difference in mass? Or because of a bigger matter wavelength?
Can we really pinpoint the location of the nucleus or ist it just easier for textbooks to depict it like in the middle?
Or is it simply because of it's size?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The nucleons have some kind of orbitals too, but they are much more difficult to calculate than electronic orbitals because the inter-nucleon potential energy function is not known exactly. Also, the nucleus can usually be treated as a point-like object in electronic structure calculations because of the large difference in length scales. The nucleus is so small because neutrons and protons are much heavier than electrons and because the interaction between them is strong.

Also note that the orbital model of the atom is just an approximation that neglects electron correlation at least partially.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #3
If you're interested in exactly what corrections there are to get a better model of the hydrogen atom (to start with), wikipedia has excellent articles on
fine structure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_structure
and hyperfine structure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfine_structure

Fine structure and hyperfine structure are progrssively higher corrections to the energy levels of the hydrogen atom. One term in the fine structure (the Darwin term) accounts for the nucleus being of nonzero size.
 
  • Like
Likes 2 people

1. What are orbitals?

Orbitals are regions of space around the nucleus of an atom where electrons are most likely to be found. They are often represented as fuzzy clouds, and each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons.

2. How are orbitals different from orbits?

Orbits and orbitals are often confused, but they are actually different concepts. Orbits refer to the path that an electron follows around the nucleus, while orbitals are the regions of space where electrons are most likely to be found.

3. What is the significance of the nucleus in an atom?

The nucleus is the central part of an atom that contains most of the atom's mass and is positively charged. It is made up of protons and neutrons, and it is responsible for holding the atom together.

4. How many orbitals are there in an atom?

The number of orbitals in an atom depends on the energy level and sublevel. In the first energy level, there is one s orbital, in the second energy level, there are one s and three p orbitals, and so on. In total, there are four different types of orbitals: s, p, d, and f.

5. What is the relationship between orbitals and the periodic table?

The periodic table is organized based on the arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals. Each row represents a different energy level, and each column represents a different type of orbital. This allows us to predict the electronic configuration of an atom and understand its chemical properties.

Similar threads

Replies
21
Views
925
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
23
Views
4K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
911
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top