Question
PS1.1) A teacher asks students to use a model to show how electrons are arranged in an atom. One student places all electrons in the nucleus with the protons. Why is this model inaccurate?
(10 Points)
Electrons are negatively charged and cannot occupy the same space as positively charged protons
Electrons are heavier than protons and would crush the nucleus
Protons repel electrons into the nucleus
Neutrons prevent electrons from entering the nucleus
(10 Points)
Electrons are negatively charged and cannot occupy the same space as positively charged protons
Electrons are heavier than protons and would crush the nucleus
Protons repel electrons into the nucleus
Neutrons prevent electrons from entering the nucleus
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The model is inaccurate because:
**Electrons are negatively charged and cannot occupy the same space as positively charged protons.**
This statement highlights the fundamental misunderstanding in the student's model. In reality, electrons exist in specific energy levels or orbitals around the nucleus and do not occupy the same space as protons. The electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons does cause electrons to be drawn towards the nucleus, but they do not reside within it due to quantum mechanical principles. Electrons occupy regions of space defined by their energy levels, and they are governed by the principles of quantum mechanics, which do not allow them to be placed in the nucleus.
**Electrons are negatively charged and cannot occupy the same space as positively charged protons.**
This statement highlights the fundamental misunderstanding in the student's model. In reality, electrons exist in specific energy levels or orbitals around the nucleus and do not occupy the same space as protons. The electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged electrons and the positively charged protons does cause electrons to be drawn towards the nucleus, but they do not reside within it due to quantum mechanical principles. Electrons occupy regions of space defined by their energy levels, and they are governed by the principles of quantum mechanics, which do not allow them to be placed in the nucleus.