Chapter 6: Problem 20
For the following pairs of orbitals, indicate which is higher in energy in a many-electron atom. (a) \(3 \mathrm{~s}\) or \(2 \mathrm{p}\) (b) 4 s or \(4 \mathrm{~d}\) (c) \(4 \mathrm{f}\) or \(6 \mathrm{~s}\) (d) 1 s or \(2 \mathrm{~s}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Answer: (a) 3s, (b) 4d, (c) 4f, (d) 2s
Step by step solution
01
Identify the principal and azimuthal quantum numbers of each orbital
We have the following orbitals:
(a) 3s: Principal quantum number (n) = 3, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 0
2p: Principal quantum number (n) = 2, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 1
(b) 4s: Principal quantum number (n) = 4, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 0
4d: Principal quantum number (n) = 4, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 2
(c) 4f: Principal quantum number (n) = 4, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 3
6s: Principal quantum number (n) = 6, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 0
(d) 1s: Principal quantum number (n) = 1, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 0
2s: Principal quantum number (n) = 2, azimuthal quantum number (l) = 0
02
Apply the n + l rule to compare the energies of the orbitals
Now we'll apply the n + l rule to determine which orbital in each pair has higher energy:
(a) 3s: n + l = 3 + 0 = 3
2p: n + l = 2 + 1 = 3
Since both orbitals have the same n + l value, we compare their n values. The 2p orbital has a lower n value, so it has lower energy. Therefore, the 3s orbital has higher energy.
(b) 4s: n + l = 4 + 0 = 4
4d: n + l = 4 + 2 = 6
The 4s orbital has a lower n + l value, so it has lower energy. Therefore, the 4d orbital has higher energy.
(c) 4f: n + l = 4 + 3 = 7
6s: n + l = 6 + 0 = 6
The 6s orbital has a lower n + l value, so it has lower energy. Therefore, the 4f orbital has higher energy.
(d) 1s: n + l = 1 + 0 = 1
2s: n + l = 2 + 0 = 2
The 1s orbital has a lower n + l value, so it has lower energy. Therefore, the 2s orbital has higher energy.
03
Report the higher-energy orbital for each pair
Based on our comparisons, the higher-energy orbitals in the given pairs are as follows:
(a) 3s
(b) 4d
(c) 4f
(d) 2s
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Principal Quantum Number
The principal quantum number, denoted as \( n \), is one of the key concepts in quantum mechanics, particularly in the study of atomic structure. It is a vital number that determines the overall size and energy level of an electron orbital in an atom. The value of \( n \) is always a positive integer, namely 1, 2, 3, and so forth. Here’s how it influences the electron orbital:
- It determines the "shell" or energy level in which the electron is located. Higher \( n \) values correspond to orbitals that are farther from the nucleus and have higher energy.
- As the value of the principal quantum number increases, the electron is likely to be found at a greater average distance from the nucleus, resulting in larger atomic radii.
- The principal quantum number is crucial in quantifying the energy levels of electrons in multi-electron atoms, where the complexity increases due to electron-electron interactions.
Azimuthal Quantum Number
The azimuthal quantum number, designated as \( l \), adds more depth to our understanding of an atom’s electron configuration and its energy level. Also referred to as the angular momentum quantum number, \( l \) determines the shape of the electron’s orbital and reflects subshells within a given principal energy level. Here's how \( l \) is defined and what it affects:
- The azimuthal quantum number \( l \) can take on any integer value from 0 to \( n-1 \), where \( n \) is the principal quantum number. This means if \( n = 3 \), \( l \) can be 0, 1, or 2.
- Each value of \( l \) corresponds to a unique subshell, commonly denoted by letters: \( l = 0 \) is an "s" subshell, \( l = 1 \) is a "p" subshell, \( l = 2 \) is a "d" subshell, and \( l = 3 \) is an "f" subshell.
- It also impacts the energy levels within a principal quantum number. Generally, within the same \( n \), a higher \( l \) value implies a higher energy subshell due to increased angular momentum.
n + l Rule
The \( n + l \) rule is a useful guideline in quantum chemistry to predict the relative energy levels of different orbitals within atoms, particularly when dealing with multi-electron systems. This rule helps in determining which orbitals will be filled first with electrons as atoms build up their electron configurations. Here's how it works:
- Calculate the sum of the principal quantum number \( n \) and the azimuthal quantum number \( l \) for each orbital. This total, \( n + l \), helps in ranking them by energy level.
- The lower the value of \( n + l \), the lower the energy of the orbital. Orbital filling follows this sequence from lower to higher \( n + l \) values.
- If two orbitals have the same \( n + l \) value, the one with the lower \( n \) will have lower energy.