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Quantum Mechanics has changed the thinking of where is an electron since the days of classical electron theory. In the classical theory, we think of an electron as a particle that orbits about the nucleus like the moon orbiting the earth. The lowest orbit has two electrons (1s2), the next orbit has eight (2s2 + 2p6), etc. Now, it is general agreed that we can only speak of probability -- the probability of finding an electron at a particular location. The Noble laureate, Richard Feynman, coined the term "electron cloud" to describe the distribution of the probability function. Perhaps, the question of finding the position of the electron in an atom becomes the question of finding the distance from the nucleus with the highest probability of finding a specific orbital electron. I have included two related links for further reading. The subject is too complex to be covered with one posting -- it takes a few college courses, at least.
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Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Electrons are located in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus of an atom. The exact position of an electron at any given moment is described by its orbital, which represents a region of space where the electron is most likely to be found. Quantum mechanics does not allow for the precise determination of both the position and momentum of an electron at the same time, due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
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Where the location of electron?
There is no exact location of the electron. The electron is outside the nucleus orbiting the center of the atom. You can't see it because it rotates so fast and is so small. So we can't indicate the exact location of the electron.
What is it when you add or subtract an electron to an atom?
When you add an electron to an atom, the atom becomes negatively charged and is called an anion. When you subtract an electron from an atom, the atom becomes positively charged and is called a cation.
'When an atom loses an electron what does it become?
When an atom loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion.
What is An atom with one extra electron or one missing electron called?
An atom with one extra electron is called an anion, while an atom with one missing electron is called a cation.
Is the electron cloud bigger than an atom?
Oh yes. Think of the atom as earth and an electron as the moon.
What are features of the electron cloud model of an atom?
An electron's exact position cannot be pinpointed.
The electron cloud model describes the of electrons in an atom?
The model is applied to movement and position of electrons in the atom.
Where the location of electron?
There is no exact location of the electron. The electron is outside the nucleus orbiting the center of the atom. You can't see it because it rotates so fast and is so small. So we can't indicate the exact location of the electron.
How does an electron position in an atom affect the energy it contains?
If there is an extra electron in the valence level then the electron is in the excited state and is carrying more energy. If the atom is normal then it is in the ground stte and contains low energy.
What is an electron cloud of an atom?
The cloud is the area in which the electron may be. As observation changes the position of quantum scale objects, certainty of its location cannot be known.
How does an electrons position in a n atom affect the energy it contains?
If there is an extra electron in the valence level then the electron is in the excited state and is carrying more energy. If the atom is normal then it is in the ground stte and contains low energy.
How Atoms can accept or lose electron's. If an atom loses an electron what will its resulting charge be?
Gain of an electron transform the atom in an anion.Loss of an electron transform the atom in a cation.
What happpens when an atom has lost an electron contact with an atom that has gained an electron?
It forms a new atom.
Is an electron in a hydrogen atom the same as an electron in a uranium atom?
yes
What is the size of an atom versus an electron?
An atom is much larger in size compared to an electron. An atom consists of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons surrounded by orbiting electrons. Electrons are subatomic particles that are about 1/1800 the size of a proton or neutron.
What happens when an electron is added to an atom it will acquire?
when an electron is added to an atom, the atom will acquire a negative charge.
Where does the electron in a stationary atom gets energy for its rotatory as well as spin motion?
The electron in a stationary atom has energy from its position in the atom and its interactions with the nucleus. The rotation and spin motions are part of the electron's inherent quantum properties and do not require additional energy once the electron is in a stable state within the atom.
