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| '''Electron cloud''' is a term used for introducing the concept of ] in low-level pedagogical introductions to ], ], ] or ]. This idea corresponds to ] electrons moving or standing like clouds around the ] or ] ]. This is indeed a better image than the very common image provided by the ] which commonly leads to a visualisation of electrons driving around the nuclei along ]s like the ]s around the ]. | |||
| The Electron Cloud is the area surrounding the nucleus of an atom. The Electron cloud is divided into 4 sections called energy levels 1, 2, 3, 4 each holding their own amount of electrons. 1 holding 2 electrons. 2 holding, 8 electrons, 3 holding 18 electrons, and 4 holding 32 electrons. The electrons do not move in an orbital pattern but are simular to bees swarming around behive. For more and better information see ] | |||
| This representation is related to the idea that the ]s are not precisely located around the ] or ] ] but must instead be described by ]s or ]s which provides the ] to find electrons in a given region of space (for example along a particular ]). These mathematical functions of the coordinates of all electrons are often expressed in terms of ]s or ]s which are in turn expressed in terms of ] or ]s. | |||
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Revision as of 12:29, 28 August 2005
Electron cloud is a term used for introducing the concept of wavefunction in low-level pedagogical introductions to atomic physics, molecular physics, chemistry or quantum chemistry. This idea corresponds to delocated electrons moving or standing like clouds around the atomic or molecular nuclei. This is indeed a better image than the very common image provided by the Bohr model which commonly leads to a visualisation of electrons driving around the nuclei along orbits like the planets around the sun.
This representation is related to the idea that the electrons are not precisely located around the atomic or molecular nuclei but must instead be described by probability amplitudes or wavefunctions which provides the probability to find electrons in a given region of space (for example along a particular chemical bond). These mathematical functions of the coordinates of all electrons are often expressed in terms of electronic configurations or Slater determinants which are in turn expressed in terms of atomic or molecular orbitals.
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