EL 2 - Atomic Structure Flashcards
What are the shapes of s and p orbitals?
s: spherical
p: dumbbell
What are orbitals?
Orbitals are regions in the space around an atom where electrons are most likely to be found, they can contain a maximum of two electrons
How are electrons arranged in orbitals?
Electrons fill from the lowest energy orbital first (e.g. they will not fill the fourth shell first). Electrons will prefer to occupy orbitals by themselves, and will only pair with other electrons if no other lower energy orbitals are available to fill
Why does the 4s orbital fill before 3d orbital?
The 4s orbital is of a lower energy than the 3d orbital, so it fills up first
What is the plum pudding model?
Charge is equally distributed around the atom
What did the Geiger-Marsden experiment show?
It showed that the atom contained a very small, dense, positive nucleus
What is fusion?
When two lighter nuclei collide and combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy
What are the conditions for fusion to happen?
A very high temperature and pressure
