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Chapter 3: Problem 7

The region having maximum probability of finding an electron in space is known as

Short Answer

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Short Answer: The region in space with the maximum probability of finding an electron is called the most probable location. This location depends on the electron's wave function and its corresponding probability density, which vary for electrons in different orbitals.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the electron's wave function and probability density

The wave function, denoted by 𝜓, describes the behavior of an electron in an atom. The probability density, given by the square of the wave function (|𝜓|^2), is a measure of the likelihood of finding an electron in a specific region in space.
02

Identifying the region with the highest probability density

To find the region with the highest probability of finding an electron, we need to identify the region in space where the electron's wave function has its highest value. This is the region where the probability density is the largest.
03

Understanding the most probable location of an electron

The region having the maximum probability of finding an electron in space is the region where the probability density is the highest. This region is generally referred to as the electron's most probable location.
04

Electron probability density in different orbitals

Electrons in different orbitals have different probability densities. For example, in the s orbital, the probability density is highest at the nucleus, while in the p orbital, the probability density is highest in a dumbbell shape around the nucleus. In each case, the region with the highest probability of finding an electron is called the most probable location. In conclusion, the region with the maximum probability of finding an electron in space is known as the most probable location of the electron, which depends on the electron's wave function and its corresponding probability density.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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