Chapter 5, Problem 107A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The difference between the orbit in Bohr’s model of an atom and an orbital in the quantum mechanical model of an atom needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Quantum mechanical model is based on the probability of finding of electrons. This model treats the electrons of an atom as the matter waves. In this model, electrons move in a defined circular path called orbits which is represented by quantum number $n$. Electrons move from the one orbit to another orbit by absorbing or emitting energy.

Answer to Problem 107A

An orbit is a circular path while orbital is a three dimensional space around the nucleus representing the probability of finding the electron.

Explanation of Solution

The orbit in Bohr model represents a circular path in which the electrons revolved around the nucleus. Erwin Schrödinger proposed the quantum mechanical model of an atom that treats the electrons as matter waves. In this model, electrons are located randomly around the nucleus. The square of the wave function represents the probability of finding an electron in a given region. In this model, the particles are constantly changing from particles to wave form.

Conclusion

Each solution of the Schrödinger wave equation is termed as wave function (a three-dimensional space around the nucleus) related to the probability of finding electron around the nucleus.