7.9 polyelectronic atoms

Question 1

seeing how quantum mechanical number applies to other atoms

Question 2

what is the difficulty when applying these principals to non hydrogen atoms

Answer 2

the repulsion between the electrons

Question 3

what is the electron correlation problem

Answer 3

since the electron pathways are unknown, electron repulsion cannot be calculated exactly. So , to treats these atoms with the quantum mechanical model, we must make assumptions

Question 4

what does it mean for an electron to be shielded

Answer 4

the nucleus is not bond as strongly to the outermost electron of an atom as if there were no other electron presents. therefore, the electron is shielded from the nuclear charge by the other electrons

Question 5

what can we say about non hydrogen orbitals

Answer 5

same general shape, but size and energies are different (difference is provoked by the interplay between nuclear attraction and the electron repulsion)

Question 6

what is an important difference with the non hydrogen atoms

Answer 6

they are not degenerate, not all orbitals on the same energy level have the same energy

Question 7

so , how does the energy vary for polyelectronic atoms?

Answer 7

from least to most:

Ens, Enp, End , Enf

Question 8

so for these atoms, where do electrons prefer to be

Answer 8

s orbitals (refer to p.275), require less energt