Where are electrons located in atoms?

Introduction: Understanding the Position of Electrons in Atoms

Electrons are a fundamental component of atoms and determine the behavior and properties of materials. To understand many physical and chemical phenomena, it is first necessary to understand the precise arrangement and behavior of electrons in atoms.

General structure of an atom

Each atom consists of three main parts:

1. Protons      (positively charged particles)

2. Neutron      (neutral particle)

3. Electrons      (negatively charged particles)

Comparison of atomic components

Model of the atom and the position of the electrons

1. Thompson’s Raisin Cake Model (1897)

• Electrons are distributed throughout the cathode material.

• like raisins in a cake

• Today this is already outdated.

2. Rutherford’s core model (1911)

• Electrons orbit the nucleus.

• Because the planets revolve around the sun.

• This does not solve the problem of the stability of the circle.

3. Bohr’s model (1913)

• Electrons move along certain orbits (energy levels).

• Every circuit has a certain power.

• Electrons can move between energy levels.

4. Quantum mechanical model (from 1926 to today)

• Electrons are both particles and waves.

• The exact location of the electron is unknown.

• It is possible to find an electron in an orbital.

Atomic orbitals: The birthplace of electrons

In the quantum model, electrons are placed in certain orbits where the probability of their occurrence is highest.

Path type:

1. s Orbital      (spherical)

2. p-orbital      (   dumbbell   )

3. d-orbitals      (complex forms)

4. f-orbitals      (very complex shapes)

Electron energy levels

Electrons exist at different  energy levels  (electron shells):

Base layer:

1. K shell      (n=1) – up to 2 electrons

2. L-shell      (n=2): up to 8 electrons

3. M shell      (n=3): up to 18 electrons

4. N-shell      (n=4):     up to     32 electrons
   , etc.

Distribution of electrons in orbitals

The electrons are distributed among the orbitals   according to three important principles   :

1. Design principles      :

   • Electrons fill the orbitals with the lowest energy first.

2. Pauli exclusion principle     :

   • Each orbital can contain up to two electrons with opposite spin.

3. Rules of the game “Bloodhound”     :

   • First, electrons individually fill orbitals with the same energy.

The movement of electrons in atoms

There are two types of electron movement:

1. Movement around the nucleus      (electron orbits)

2. Rotational movement      (rotation around one’s own axis)

Electron speed:

• about 2200 km/s (for electrons in the inner shell)

• This speed is approximately 1% of the speed of light.

Valence electrons and their functions

Electrons in the outer shell (valence electrons):

• They play a role in the formation of chemical bonds.

• Determine the chemical properties of the elements.

• Participation in chemical reactions

Measuring the position of electrons

According to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle:

• It is impossible to measure the position and velocity of an electron simultaneously with high accuracy.

• We can only calculate the probability with which electrons appear in different areas.

Result: Where are the electrons located in an atom?

1. Electrons are located around the nucleus.

2. Its exact location cannot be determined; all that is known is the probability that it is in orbit     .

3. Electrons are distributed across different energy levels.

4. The behavior of electrons is determined by the laws of quantum mechanics.

5. The last valence electron shell determines the chemical properties of an element.

Understanding the position and behavior of electrons is    fundamental to understanding many scientific phenomena and modern technologies . From the creation of new materials to the development of quantum computers, everything depends on a precise understanding of electrons.