Orbital motion (quantum)

Orbital motion (quantum)

Electrons don’t actually move in their orbitals. When quantum mechanics refer to “electron orbital motion” they are actually referring to the spatial wave function of the electron.

Just as spin doesn’t mean the particle is actually spinning around an axis in the classical sense, orbital motion doesn’t mean the particle is revolving around the nucleus in the sense of the Bohr model. Likewise, the orbital angular momentum is a quantum value inherent in the electron’s orbital energy state, even though nothing is moving in the classical sense. Furthermore, current loops caused by this orbital motion are also linguistic licence on the part of physicists, because there is neither current (movement of a charge) nor looping going on; but, the mathematical description is very much like that of a classic current loop.

See also

References

External links



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Orbital motion — In physics, orbital motion is the either a motion of a planet in a planetary orbit, or a motion of an electron around the nucleus of an atom, or any other motion of parts of a bound system. In quantum mechanics, orbital motion contributes to the… …   Wikipedia

  • quantum mechanics — quantum mechanical, adj. Physics. a theory of the mechanics of atoms, molecules, and other physical systems that are subject to the uncertainty principle. Abbr.: QM Cf. nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics. [1920 25]… …   Universalium

  • Orbital magnetization — Orbital magnetization, , refers to the magnetization induced by orbital motion of charged particles, usually electrons, in solids. The term orbital distinguishes it from the contribution of spin degrees of freedom, , to the total magnetization. A …   Wikipedia

  • Spin quantum number — In atomic physics, the spin quantum number is a quantum number that parameterizes the intrinsic angular momentum (or spin angular momentum, or simply spin) of a given particle. The spin quantum number is the fourth of a set of quantum numbers… …   Wikipedia

  • Quantum chemistry — is a branch of theoretical chemistry, which applies quantum mechanics and quantum field theory to address issues and problems in chemistry. The description of the electronic behavior of atoms and molecules as pertaining to their reactivity is one …   Wikipedia

  • Motion (physics) — Motion involves change in position, such as in this perspective of rapidly leaving Yongsan Station In physics, motion is a change in position of an object with respect to time. Change in action is the result of an unbalanced force. Motion is… …   Wikipedia

  • Quantum mechanics — For a generally accessible and less technical introduction to the topic, see Introduction to quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics …   Wikipedia

  • orbital — /awr bi tl/, adj. 1. of or pertaining to an orbit. n. 2. Physics, Chem. a. a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom (atomic orbital) or in a molecule (molecular orbital). b. the electron in that state. [1535 45; < NL,… …   Universalium

  • Quantum chromodynamics — Standard model of particle physics Standard Model …   Wikipedia

  • Atomic orbital — The shapes of the first five atomic orbitals: 1s, 2s, 2px, 2py, and 2pz. The colors show the wave function phase. These are graphs of ψ(x,y,z) functions which depend on the coordinates of one electron. To see the elongated shape of ψ(x,y,z)2… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”