Is it true that the currently accepted model of the atom includes an electron cloud?

Answer 1

Because it best fits the experimental data. From a layman's perspective (the layman being me, not necessarily you), the reasoning is thus:

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle states that we cannot know both the position and the trajectory of a particle, because in the act of observing the particle we will have altered at least one of those qualities.

What we can then deduce about the position of an electron (its 'orbit,' if you will) is not a precise set of values but a range of probabilities as to where that electron will be at a given point in time.

That range, represented graphically, describes a fuzzy-edged set of possible locations, in the shape of a hollow sphere (thus "cloud"), at a distance from the atomic nucleus which is determined by the energetic state of that particular electron.

Answer 2

Because it IS a more accurate model of an atom. Electrons do not orbit the nucleus, as was (briefly) thought; the cloud model is a better way to think about what's actually going on (the best way is pure mathematics, but that's not as easy a concept to explain).

Answer 3

this answer could be very complicated, but I'll make it as simple as possible.

because electrons move so fast and are so small, we don't really have any reliable way of knowing exactly where an electron is at any precise moment. so scientists have simply determined that there is a certain perimeter around the atom where we are most likely to find an electron. this area is called the electron cloud.

picture dozens and dozens of tiny electrons moving so fast in so many crazy directions around a nucleus that it all just becomes a blur of motion (a cloud, if you will). that's why we call it the electron cloud.

Answer 4

The classical model implies a planetary model, where the electrons' orbit is predictable and stable about the nucleus. However, we should observe their angular momentum to be the value of h when we find the real value to be zero. We also should see electrons spiraling towards the nucleus, thus rendering atoms unstable. Quantum Mechanics solves this issue in part by predicting a probability distribution of orbits, where the "cloud" is the region where electrons will be most likely found. These clouds will vary in shape (there are charts floating around that will give you a picture of what various atoms look like) and anywhere outside this region has a low probability of appearance (close to zero but still possible.)

Answer 5

That refers to the behavior of the electron. You can't know the exact position of the electron at any specific moment; the "cloud" represents the probability of finding the electron in specific positions.