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Depending on the context of a situation, there are many answers to this.
The atom's electrons are often referred to as the electron "cloud." This is because electrons do not seem to orbit the nucleus of an atom with perfect, "well-behaved" circular motion - in fact, electrons are so tiny, and moving so fast (VERY close to the speed of light), that the best anyone can do is represent them as an erratic, localized smear of probability in the space around the nucleus. (Well, some people do a bit better than that... people far cleverer than myself.)
In elementary physics and chemistry, we often simplify this model back to nice, circular electron "orbits" or "shells," as their actual positions in space are of relatively little concern in these studies.
Even more specifically, chemistry eventually delves into the study of what are called electron "configurations," which are much more specific: they describe the three-dimensional shapes adopted by electron cloud and the pattern in which its shape changes as more and more electrons are added. These are also sometimes referred to as "orbitals."
To recap:
"Electron cloud" conjures a visual image of what we imagine the outside of an atom to look like.
"Electron orbit" conjures an image of a perfect (simplified), circular motion about the nucleus. Useful for early education of atomic theory.
"Electron shells" is often used in the context of valence (the outer-most) electrons involved in the exchanges that constitute chemical reactions.
"Electron orbitals/configurations" usually refer to the shape of the "cloud" that a given number of electrons will adopt and the pattern of these shapes as the number of electrons increases.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIn the old model they were called orbits. The correct terminology is now orbitals. This is defined as "The region of maximum probability of finding an electron"
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Is a nucleus made up of protons and electrons or electrons and neutrons or protons and neutrons?
The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons; the electrons form electron shells around the nucleus.
What statement accurately represents the arrangement of electrons in bohr's?
Electrons travel around the nucleus in fixed energy levels with energies that vary from level to level
The subatomic particles which travel in shells around th nucleus of an atom are?
The nucleus contain protons and neutrons; these particles are also composed from quarks and gluons. Shells are the location of electrons.
What scientist proposed that electrons move around the nucleus in fixed paths?
niels bohr
In the bohr model what happens when an electron makes transitions between orbits?
The electrons can only travel in certain orbits: at a certain discrete set of distances from the nucleus with specific energies. # The electrons of an atom revolve around the nucleus in orbits. These orbits are associated with definite energies and are also called energy shells or energy levels
Is a nucleus made up of protons and electrons or electrons and neutrons or protons and neutrons?
The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons; the electrons form electron shells around the nucleus.
Where can you find an electron?
Electrons travel in orbitals around the nucleus of the atom
In a circuit electrons travel in?
The Electron Cloud
What do electrons do to the nucleus?
Electrons orbits around the nucleus, which have neutrons and protons. When there is an imbalance of protons and electrons, it creates a static electricity. What I am trying to say is, nothing really special happens.
What statement accurately represents the arrangement of electrons in bohr's?
Electrons travel around the nucleus in fixed energy levels with energies that vary from level to level
What is the force called that electrons travel around the nucleus?
weak nuclear force
What scientist discovered that electrons travel around the nucleus in definite mass?
J.J Thompson
These are regions of space outside the nucleus where electrons travel?
The space outside of the nucleus of an atom where electrons reside is referred to the electron shell or an orbital. According to quantum mechanics theory, electrons do not technically travel, they just exist around the nucleus in something like a shell or a cloud.
What was niel Bohr's model?
Bohr's model describes an atom as small, with a positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons that travel in circular orbits around the nucleus
The subatomic particles which travel in shells around th nucleus of an atom are?
The nucleus contain protons and neutrons; these particles are also composed from quarks and gluons. Shells are the location of electrons.
When did Niels Bohr discover that electrons travel around an atomic nucleus?
The Bohr model for the atom is from 1913.
What are found in the space surrounding the nucleus of an atom?
The space around the nucleus of an atom is called the electron cloud. The electron cloud is the space in which the electrons of that atom travel. Compared to the nucleus, the electron cloud is enormous.
