Atomic Structure
Atomic Structure
FOCUS 8
The Structure of Atoms
Description of the arrangement of electrons in atoms.
For the Hydrogenic atoms (H, He+, Li2+, C5+, U91+ etc),
the Schrödinger equation can be solved exactly.
Rydberg (1890)
Two-particles,
3D system
For a transition: 1 1
∆𝐸 = 𝐸2 − 𝐸1 = ℎ𝑐𝑅𝑍 2 2− 2
𝑛1 𝑛2
This energy is carried out by a photon.
Ionization Energy, I = hcRZ2
Eigenfunctions of Hydrogenic atom
The wavefunctions (called atomic orbitals) can be written as
𝜓𝑛,𝑙,𝑚𝑙 (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑅𝑛,𝑙 (𝑟) 𝑌𝑙,𝑚𝑙 (𝜃, 𝜙) R: radial function
Y: angular function
n, l, ml : quantum nos. arise due to restrictions (boundary conditions).
Principal quantum number: n = 1, 2, 3 …….
Quantization of energy (En) 𝑬𝒏 = − 𝒉𝒄𝑹𝒁𝟐 Τ𝒏𝟐
Shell:
Subshell:
Degeneracy:
States with different values of l or m, but the same 𝒉𝒄𝑹𝒁𝟐
value of n, have the same energy = n2 𝑬𝒏 = −
𝒏𝟐
The s-orbitals
Recall, hydrogenic wavefunction: (For 1s-orbital: n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0)
𝜓𝑛,𝑙,𝑚𝑙 (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜙) = 𝑅𝑛,𝑙 (𝑟) 𝑌𝑙,𝑚𝑙 (𝜃, 𝜙)
𝜓100 ≡ 𝜓1𝑠 = 2 1Τ𝑎03 1/2
𝑒 −𝑟/𝑎0 × 1Τ 2𝜋 1/2
= 1Τ(𝜋𝑎03 )1/2 𝑒 −𝑟/𝑎0
Number
of
radial node
=
(n – l – 1)
Other Hydrogenic Wavefunctions
The p-orbitals (I = 1):
1/2 1/2
3 1 1 𝑟 −𝑟/2𝑎
𝜓2𝑝𝑧 = cos 𝜃 × 𝑒 0
4𝜋 2 6𝑎03 𝑎0
5 1/2
= 1Τ32𝜋𝑎0 𝑟 cos 𝜃 𝑒 −𝑟/2𝑎0
It is a quantum mechanical
Observed Result phenomenon - NO classical
Stern & Gerlach (1921)
counterpart.
Observed angular momentum was due to the
motion of the electron about its own axis.
Electron Spin
Described by spin Quantum number s = 1/2
𝜇𝑠 = න 𝜓𝑓 𝜇Ƹ 𝜓𝑖 𝑑𝜏
Orbital approximation:
(Exact wavefunction) 𝜓 ≈ 𝜓 1 𝜓 2 𝜓 3 … 𝜓(𝑛)
Pauli Principle:
•Not more than two electrons can occupy one orbital
•Spins must be paired when two electrons occupy one orbital
•Paired spins-zero net spin angular momentum
Penetration and shielding
Lowest energy configuration of Li [He]2s1 or [He]2p1 ?
•2s, 2p orbitals are nondegenerate unlike
hydrogenic atoms
Li Be B C N O F
157 112 88 77 74 66 64
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl
191 160 143 118 110 104 99
K Ca Ga Ge As Se Br
235 197 153 122 121 117 114
Rb Sr In Sn Sb Te I
250 215 167 158 141 137 133
Cs Ba Tl Pb Bi Po
272 224 171 175 182 167
Periodic trends in atomic radii
Periodic trends in first ionization energies