Still a bit confused about electron orbitals?

In summary, electron orbitals are regions of space around an atom where electrons are likely to be found. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins. They are related to energy levels, with lower energy levels being closer to the nucleus. Electron orbitals have specific shapes, such as spherical or dumbbell-shaped, and they determine the chemical properties of an element based on the number and arrangement of electrons in the outermost energy level.
  • #1
sharpielife
3
0
Hey Everyone,

If you have an electron with the various energy levels: -14 eV, -30 eV, -52 eV, -80 eV.

And that the electron can only move between these levels.

How do I go about finding the photo energy that is emitted?

Do I just subtract the various levels?
Ex. 14 - 30 = -16 etc?
 
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  • #2
That is right. An electron which goes from -14eV to -30eV can emit a photon with 16 eV (and will usually do so, but there are some other options, too).
 

FAQ: Still a bit confused about electron orbitals?

What are electron orbitals?

Electron orbitals are the regions of space around an atom where electrons are most likely to be found. They are described by quantum mechanics and are represented by a three-dimensional probability map.

How many electrons can occupy an orbital?

Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons. These electrons must have opposite spins.

How are electron orbitals related to energy levels?

The energy levels of electrons correspond to different orbitals. The closer an orbital is to the nucleus, the lower its energy level. As the energy level increases, the orbital size also increases.

Do electron orbitals have specific shapes?

Yes, electron orbitals have specific shapes and are named based on their shape. For example, s-orbitals are spherical, p-orbitals are dumbbell-shaped, and d-orbitals have complex shapes.

How do electron orbitals determine the chemical properties of an element?

The number and arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals determine its chemical properties. This is because the electrons in the outermost energy level, also known as the valence electrons, are involved in chemical bonding and reactions.

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