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Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Orbitals (Sections)(a) With
Chapter 3, Problem 60E(choose chapter or problem)
(a) With reference to Figure 6.18, what is the relationship between the number of nodes in an s orbital and the value of the principal quantum number? (b) Identify the number of nodes; that is, identify places where the electron density is zero, in the orbital; in the 3s orbital. (c) What information is obtained from the radial probability functions in Figure 6.18? (d) For the hydrogen atom, list the following orbitals in order of increasing energy: 3s, 2s, 2p, 5s, 4d
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
(a) With reference to Figure 6.18, what is the relationship between the number of nodes in an s orbital and the value of the principal quantum number? (b) Identify the number of nodes; that is, identify places where the electron density is zero, in the orbital; in the 3s orbital. (c) What information is obtained from the radial probability functions in Figure 6.18? (d) For the hydrogen atom, list the following orbitals in order of increasing energy: 3s, 2s, 2p, 5s, 4d
ANSWER:Step 1 of 5
Radial probability distribution curves
Radial probability distribution curves represent the electron density at a distance from the nucleus. It is plotted for each orbital with radius on the x-axis and probability function on the y-axis.
The radial distribution function gives the probability of finding an electron at a given distance. The number of peaks and the number of radial nodes in a radial distribution curve is studied to find the distribution of electrons in an orbital.
Radial distribution curves are used to define the changes in the orbital with increasing value of the principal quantum number. It can also find the point of maximum probability for an orbital. The shape of an orbital can be predicted from the area of a peak in the radial distribution curve.