The Quantum Mechanical

Model of an Atom

Lesson 2
Homework Check
Learning Goals
By the end of this lesson I will…
• Be able to explain contributions of Bohr, Planck, de Broglie,
Heisenberg, Schrodinger, and Pauli to the quantum model of the atom
• Identify the four quantum numbers and explain their importance
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
Today’s quantum mechanical model of the atom
incorporates the wave properties of electrons.

Wave functions:
•initially described by Erwin Schrodinger,
•represent a region in space around a nucleus where an
electron will be found - called an atomic orbital

An electron density
diagram represents
an atomic orbital.
Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• Many scientists contributed to the development of
the quantum mechanical model of the atom.
• Bohr
• Planck
• DeBroglie
• Heisenberg
• Schrodinger
• Pauli
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
Atomic orbitals can be visualized as “fuzzy clouds”
• higher the density of the “cloud,” = higher the
probability of finding an electron at that point.
• The cloud has no definite boundary.
• The region where an electron will spend 90 percent of its
time is depicted by drawing a circle.

The circle does not

represent a real
boundary.
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• The Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that we cannot know both
the position and the momentum of an electron at the same time.
• Therefore, we do not know the exact path of the electron in an orbital but
there is a probability of finding one in a certain space.

• Quantum mechanical model uses complex orbital shapes (electron clouds),

volumes of space where electrons are likely to be found
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• Orbitals: areas in the atom where there is a HIGH probability of
finding an electron

• These orbitals have different shapes and each orbital has a specific
energy level associated with it

• The number of electrons an atom has, determines the number of

occupied orbitals it has (each orbital can hold a maximum of 2
electrons)
Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
Video Explanation (15 min):

Video
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• Orbitals are described by Quantum Numbers
• Four numbers
• n – the principle number (similar to Bohr’s shell)
• l – the orbital angular momentum number (describes shape of orbital)
• ml – the magnetic quantum number (differentiates between e.g. the 3 p-
orbitals)
• ms – the magnetic spin quantum number
Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
Quantum Number Song
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• PRINCIPLE QUANTUM NUMBER (n)
• is the first quantum number
• describes the energy level, or shell, of an orbital (the distance from
orbital to nucleus)
• All orbitals with the same n value are in the same shell
• The larger the n value, the larger the size of the shell, the higher
the energy
• Values can range from n = 1 to n = ∞
n=1 first shell
n=2 second shell
n=3 third shell
n=4 fourth shell
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
The Orbital Shape Quantum Number (l)
• is the second quantum number, also known as the angular
momentum number
• describes the shape of an orbital
• refers to energy sublevels, or subshells (same n different l)
• Values depend on the value of n. They are positive integers from 0 to
(n – 1)
• Each value is identified by a letter
l=0 s
l=1 p
An energy sublevel is identified by combining n with the l=2 d
orbital letter. For example, n = 2, l = 1: 2p sublevel l=3 f
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• The Magnetic Quantum Number (ml)
• is the third quantum number
• indicates the orientation of the orbital in space
• For a given l there are (2l +1) values for ml
• The total number of orbitals for an energy level is n2

s, p, d and f orbitals
have characteristic
shapes.
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• The Spin Quantum Number (ms)
• is the fourth quantum number
• describes the direction the electron is spinning in a magnetic field – clockwise
or counterclockwise
• Has two possible values: +½ or –½ - only 2 electrons possible in each subshell
To summarise:
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
According to the Pauli exclusion principle:
• an orbital can have a maximum of two electrons
• two electrons in an orbital must have opposite spins
No two electrons of an atom have the same set of four
quantum numbers.
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
LEARNING
CHECK
What is the set of quantum numbers for an electron in a 2s orbital?

n =2, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = ±½
 Quantum Mechanic Model of an Atom
• Review
• de Broglie originated the idea of wave-like properties of an electron
• QM model describes electron as a standing wave
• Electrons occupy orbitals. Each has a prescribed value and shape
• Exact position and how it is moving can never both be known
• Orbitals are probability distributions
• Electrons move between orbitals by absorbing and emitting energy
• Four Quantum Numbers describe an electron in an atom
• Level, shape, orientation, spin
• No two electrons can have same 4 numbers
HOMEWORK

• Pg. 152
• #3, 8, 11
• Pg. 159
• #3, 4, 6, 8, 9