Asked by sam
I have read over 20 sites and I still cant figure this one out - in an atom electrons are located in energy levels that are a certain distance from the nucleus.
Answers
Answered by
drwls
The statement is not really true. It represents the old-fashioned and simplistic Bohr model of the atom.
In the correct quantum mechanics theory of the atom, the electrons occupy a region around the nucleus like a cloud, but you cannot track exactly where they are. You can only predict the probability that one will be found in a certain place. Most electrons are within about 10^-10 m of the nucleus. There are different orbit probability density "wave functions" for differect electrons. Some are much closer than others.
In the correct quantum mechanics theory of the atom, the electrons occupy a region around the nucleus like a cloud, but you cannot track exactly where they are. You can only predict the probability that one will be found in a certain place. Most electrons are within about 10^-10 m of the nucleus. There are different orbit probability density "wave functions" for differect electrons. Some are much closer than others.
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