What cause the atomic orbitals electron configuration ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the causes of atomic orbitals and electron configurations, exploring the underlying principles that govern these concepts. It touches on theoretical aspects, historical models, and the complexities of quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the electron configuration is influenced by the quantization of energy levels and angular and spin momenta, along with the Pauli exclusion principle.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of the Schrödinger equation for understanding electronic structure, arguing that the Bohr model is insufficient for explaining electron configurations.
  • Another participant contends that the Bohr model is easier to understand and does provide an explanation for electronic configurations, specifically regarding electron energy levels.
  • There is a challenge to the adequacy of the Bohr model in explaining specific configurations, such as the ground state electronic configuration of carbon, suggesting that additional rules like the octet rule may be necessary.
  • Some participants express a desire to clarify the original poster's level of understanding to tailor the discussion appropriately.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the adequacy of the Bohr model versus the Schrödinger equation for explaining electron configurations. There is no consensus on which model is more appropriate or sufficient for the discussion at hand.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion may depend on the definitions of terms like "orbital" and "electron configuration," and the complexity of the concepts may vary based on the audience's prior knowledge.

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What cause the atomic orbitals electron configuration ?
Thanks in advance
 
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Your question is very broad. What have you read up on the subject? Start with at least Wikipedia.

The short answer is that it is a combination of the quantization of energy levels and angular and spin momenta, along with the Pauli exclusion principle.
 
Last edited:
Perq said:
Quantization of energy levels.
Think you want to read this one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohr_model
The Bohr model by itself cannot explain electronic configuration. And while it may be historically interesting, the Bohr model has actually nothing to do with the the best representation we currently have of atoms, which is given by quantum mechanics, through the Schrödinger equation. One needs to learn how the Schrödinger equation is solved to ultimately understand the electronic structure of atoms.
 
It is far easier to understand simple Bohr model, than start with solving Schrödinger equation, don't you think?

And yes, it does explain electronic configuration. (electron energy levels)
 
Perq said:
It is far easier to understand simple Bohr model, than start with solving Schrödinger equation, don't you think?
It might be easier to understand, but it is false! For the complete novice, it helps to understand how quantization can come about and why atoms have discrete absorption/emission spectra, but that's about it. Even then, it is not very complicated to explain orbitals and quantum numbers without directly showing how the Schrödinger equation is solved.

Perq said:
And yes, it does explain electronic configuration. (electron energy levels)
Can it explain why the ground state electronic configuration of carbon is 1s22s22p2? You need to add artificial rules (e.g., the octet rule).
 
I think OP is asking for the most basic stuff.
 
Perq said:
I think OP is asking for the most basic stuff.
He used the terms "orbital" and "electron configuration", which are quite specific.

The point of my answer in #2 was to get him to clarify what he already knows, but I now realize that I wrote that wrong o:). I've corrected it, so let's wait for an answer from him to figure out the correct level of response.
 

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