Atomic orbitals Flashcards
What are wavefunctions?
Mathematical equations of a position in space that describe the wave-behaviour of electrons
What equation is used to calculate wavefunctions?
Schrodinger equation
What is Ψ² ?
The probability of finding an electron at a given location is proportional to the square of the wavefunction at that point
What are the three requirements of wavefunctions?
Finite
Single-valued
Continuous
What does finite mean?
There is 100% chance of finding an electron in the atom
What does single-valued mean ?
There can only be 1 probability value of finding an electron at a certain point
What are the two components to wavefunctions?
Radial component R (r)
Angular component A (θ, ω)
What happens to the value of the wavefunction as the distance from the nucleus increases?
Approaches to zero
What are the three types of boundary conditions in the hydrogen atom?
- radial
2. 3. angular
Will you find electrons at a node?
No
What do the three boundary conditions produce?
3 quantum numbers
What two types of nodes are produced from the three boundary conditions?
Radial nodes
Angular nodes
What are radial nodes?
determine the effective size
What are angular nodes?
determine the shape
The higher the number of nodes…
The higher the energy
What are the three types of quantum number?
n
ι
Mι
What does n stand for in terms of quantum number?
Principle quantum number
What does ι stand for in terms of quantum number?
Angular momentum quantum number
What does Mι stand for in terms of quantum number?
Magnetic quantum number
What does n specify?
Total number of nodes in an orbital
How do you calculate the total number of nodes?
n - 1
What does ι specify?
the number of angular nodes in an orbital and describes the shape of the orbital
What type of value can ι have?
Integer value between 0 and n-1
What can the value of angular nodes not be higher than?
total nodes
