Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 55

Describe some of the differences between the orbits of the Bohr atom and the orbitals of the wave mechanical atom. Are there any similarities?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Bohr atom model describes electrons in fixed orbits with specific energy levels. The wave mechanical model portrays electron locations as likely regions called orbitals, instead of fixed paths. The main similarity is that both models imagine the electron as a particle moving around the nucleus and discuss the quantization of energy. But, the wave mechanical model additionally considers the electron's wave nature.

Step by step solution

01

- Understanding the Bohr Model

The Bohr model, proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913, describes the behavior of electrons in hydrogen-like atoms. Electrons in Bohr's model travel in specific, fixed orbits around the nucleus. Each orbit has a specific energy level associated with it.
02

- Understanding the Wave Mechanical Model

The wave mechanical model, also known as the quantum mechanical model, came into existence in the 1920s. According to this model, the precise location of an electron in an atom cannot be known. Instead, electron locations are represented as a cloud-like orbital, which specifies a region in space where there is a high probability of finding the electron.
03

- Comparing the Two Models

Comparing the two models, one of the key differences arise from how they predict the behavior of electrons. The Bohr model specifies exact orbits for electrons, while the wave mechanical model describes orbitals, or regions of space where electrons are likely to be found.
04

- Identifying Similarities

Despite the differences, there is a major similarity between the two models: both consider the electron to be a particle moving around the nucleus. Both models also talk about the quantized nature of energy. However, the wave mechanical model further introduces the idea of the electron as a wave, leading to the concept of wave-particle duality.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain the phrase \(e\)ffective nuclear charge. How is this related to the shielding effect?

For electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a vacuum, state whether each of the following properties is directly proportional to, inversely proportional to, or independent of the frequency: (a) velocity; (b) wavelength; (c) energy per mole. Explain.

What are the (a) frequency, in \(s^{-1}\), and (b) wavelength, in nanometers, of the light emitted when the electron in a hydrogen atom drops from the energy level \(n=7\) to \(n=4 ?\) (c) In what portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is this light?

Without doing detailed calculations, indicate which of the following electron transitions requires the greatest amount of energy to be absorbed by a hydrogen atom: from (a) \(n=1\) to \(n=2 ;\) (b) \(n=2\) to \(n=4 ;\) (c) \(n=3\) to \(n=9 ;\) (d) \(n=10\) to \(n=1\)

A certain radiation has a wavelength of \(574 \mathrm{nm}\). What is the energy, in joules, of (a) one photon; (b) a mole of photons of this radiation?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free