explain the circumstances that lead to the development of quantum mechanical model of atom
Answers
Answer:
The quantum mechanical model is based on quantum theory, which says matter also has properties associated with waves. According to quantum theory, it’s impossible to know the exact position and momentum of an electron at the same time. This is known as the Uncertainty Principle.
The quantum mechanical model of the atom uses complex shapes of orbitals (sometimes called electron clouds), volumes of space in which there is likely to be an electron. So, this model is based on probability rather than certainty.
Four numbers, called quantum numbers, were introduced to describe the characteristics of electrons and their orbitals in the model of atom:
Principal quantum number: n - identifies which energy level an electron is in e.g. K,L,M,N.....
Angular momentum quantum number: l – Also called as azimuthal quantum number identifies the sub-level with in the energy level where the electron is most likely to be found. E.g. s,p,d,f....
Magnetic quantum number: ml -- indicates a region within a sub-level called an orbital where two electrons reside. The number of orbitals in a sub-level depends on the type of sub-level. i.e. 1s,2s, 2p .....etc
Spin quantum number: ms -- To distinguish between the two electrons in an orbital, the electron-spin quantum number is used. there's two possible electron-spin quantum numbers, 1/2+ and 1/2- .
Explanation:
Matter begins to behave very strangely at the subatomic level. Some of this behavior is so counterintuitive that we can only talk about it with symbols and metaphors—like in poetry. For example, what does it mean to say an electron behaves like a particle and a wave? Or that an electron does not exist in any one particular location, but that it is spread out throughout the entire atom?
If these questions strike you as odd, they should! As it turns out, we are in good company. The physicist Niels Bohr also said, "Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it." So if you feel confused when learning about quantum mechanics, know that the scientists who originally developed it were just as befuddled.