Chapter 11, Problem 24A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The orbitals of the hydrogen atom described as “probability maps” and the edges of the hydrogen orbitals sometimes drawn to appear “fuzzy”, are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Orbital is the probability map of the hydrogen atom.

Answer to Problem 24A

The orbitals of the hydrogen atoms are described as probability maps because the orbital represents the probability that an electron will be in a particular region and the edges are because few molecules are present.

Explanation of Solution

Orbital is the probability map of the hydrogen atom. Although the chances of finding the electron decreases at greater distances from the nucleus, the probability of finding it at even great distances from the nucleus never become exactly zero. A useful analogy might be the lack of a sharp boundary between the earth’s atmosphere and “outer space.” The atmosphere fades away gradually, but there are always a few molecules present. Because of the undefined size of the orbital, the edges of the orbital are fuzzy. According to the chemists, the orbital size is identical to the size of the sphere which contains approximately ninety percent total electron probability.

On the basis of this definition, the electron stays most of the time inside the surface while it spends very little time outside the surface. The orbital of the hydrogen atom is 1s orbital which is the lowest energy state or the ground state.

Conclusion

The three-dimensional region in which there is a high probability of finding an electron in an atom is orbital.