Chapter 2, Problem 1TMW

Electrons zip around the nucleus at about 5 million miles per hour. Why don’t they fly off?

Summary Introduction

To tell:

Electrons zip around the nucleus at about 5 million miles per hour. Why don’t they fly off.

Introduction:

The atom is the smallest molecule that is present in all living and non-living things. Living things are made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphate atoms. Non- living things are made up of different types of atoms. All atoms are composed of protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Explanation of Solution

An atom is composed of nucleus and orbitals. The nucleus consists of protons and neutrons. Protons are a positively charged particle and neutron has a neutral-charged particle, thus the nucleus gets a positive charge. The electrons are negatively charged particle that is revolving around the nucleus in the specific orbitals. The electrons exist in s, p, d, e and f orbitals.

Based on the number of electrons present in the atom, the numbers of orbitals are present in it. Each orbital has a stable electronic configuration. The outer most shell has valence electrons which are actively participating in the chemical reactions, which attain stability by gaining or losing electrons. This attraction of electrons towards the nucleus is based on the electronegativity of an atom. The electronegativity is referred to as the attraction of atoms towards the electrons, it is based on the size of the atom. About 5 million miles per hour, the electrons are zip around the nucleus without fly off because the nucleus present in the center of the atom has a positive charge that attracts the negatively charged electrons revolve around the nucleus.

Conclusion

The reason for the electrons revolve around the nucleus without fly off is discussed in detail.