Trouble Understanding Suborbitals

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on understanding suborbitals and their energy levels in chemistry, specifically addressing the question of which orbital has the highest energy among 4px, 3px, 2px, and 5px. The correct answer is 5px, as higher principal quantum numbers indicate higher energy levels. Key concepts such as ionization energy, atomic radius, and electronegativity are also explored, with references to Koopmann's theorem and Mulliken's electronegativity definition, which relate these properties to orbital energies.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum numbers and their significance in atomic structure
  • Familiarity with the Periodic Table of Elements
  • Knowledge of ionization energy and its relation to orbital energies
  • Basic concepts of electronegativity and its calculation methods
NEXT STEPS
  • Study quantum numbers and their roles in determining orbital energy levels
  • Research Koopmann's theorem and its implications for ionization energy
  • Explore Mulliken's electronegativity and its calculation based on orbital energies
  • Learn about the shielding effect and its impact on atomic radius and electron attraction
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for chemistry students, particularly those in introductory courses, as well as educators looking to clarify concepts related to atomic structure and orbital theory.

ccmetalhead
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Hi. I'm currently taking my first chemistry course in at a college level. I'm still a bit new to it, alongside the fact that I missed a few weeks due to being out of town, but I'm excited to get into it. I want to have one of those "AHA" moments like I've experienced with math. Only thing is it seems to be quite a bit tougher. Right now I'm still trying to learn orbitals, suborbitals, and reading the Periodic Table of Elements.

One of my homework questions is asking me which of these orbitals has the highest energy: 4px, 3px, 2px, and 5px. I am guessing that it would be 5px assuming that we're still at a higher level orbital, but what about ionization, atomic radius, and electronegativity? How can I take all of these into account. Sorry if my question seems broad, but I'm honestly still trying to figure out where to start, and how I can visualize this and process it more efficiently. I'm lost...
 
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At least in hydrogen, the energy depends only on the main quantum number n as ##E\sim -1/n^2##. In many electron atoms, the energy also depends on the angular momentum quantum number, as orbitals with a lower angular momentum have a higher probability to be found near the nucleus where the charge of the nucleus is less shielded by the other electrons. Hence attraction and binding energy is also stronger.
According to Koopmanns theorem, the ionisation energy is approximately the negative of the energy of the highests occupied orbital in an atom.
The electronegativity according to Mulliken is proportional to the average energy of the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied orbital.
 

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