What causes different energy levels in atoms with multiple electrons?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Goodver
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Hydrogen
Click For Summary
Different energy levels in atoms with multiple electrons arise from the complex interactions between electrons and the nucleus, particularly the Coulomb forces that break spherical symmetry. While basic equations for energy levels can be derived for hydrogen with one electron, adding more electrons introduces additional terms in the Hamiltonian that complicate these calculations. The unique energies for different atoms are influenced by the number of electrons and their interactions, which cannot be captured by simple equations. For alkali atoms, which have a single valence electron, an approximate formula can be derived using quantum defect theory. Overall, the presence of multiple electrons significantly alters the energy level calculations compared to single-electron systems.
Goodver
Messages
101
Reaction score
1
From the calculations of total energy on an energy level we end up with rhe equation which consists of constants only, except of the principal quantum number.

Since equation does not include any unique variables, such as number of protons or electrons in an atom, what makes then different atoms have diferent energy levels?

these calculations for Hydrogen, I assume, the number of electrons somehow determines the energies on the levels, so for different atom with more than 1 electron equations should vary. I also assume that reduced mass caused by different number of protons for different atoms should not cause much of influence.

or energy on a level is a sort of a superposition of waves of all electrons on this level? => sum of energies?

what determines unique energies on levels for different atoms?
 

Attachments

  • tmp_selection-1229798529.png
    tmp_selection-1229798529.png
    8 KB · Views: 413
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
These equations are derived for a nucleus consisting of a single proton, with one electron "orbiting" around it. Very similar equations can be obtained for any charge ##Z## of the nucleus, but again with only one electron. If more than one electron is present, then there are addition terms in the Hamiltonian corresponding to the Coulomb interaction between electrons. This breaks the spherical symmetry and such simple equations can't be derived anymore. Only in the special case of alkali atoms (single valence electron), can an approximate simple formula for the energy of the valence electron be obtained (quantum defect theory).
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
I am slowly going through the book 'What Is a Quantum Field Theory?' by Michel Talagrand. I came across the following quote: One does not" prove” the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics. The ultimate test for a model is the agreement of its predictions with experiments. Although it may seem trite, it does fit in with my modelling view of QM. The more I think about it, the more I believe it could be saying something quite profound. For example, precisely what is the justification of...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K