Orbitals, Nodes, and Quantum numbers. Vilas doesn't like us being bored.

Introduction

This WebQuest is for a Chemistry Assignment at Yachay Tech. It's purpose is to explain the key concepts of orbitals, nodes and quantum numbers. These topics are all part of Quantum Chemistry.

Quantum Chemistry is based on the quantum model, that states that electrons are not particles, but have wavelike characteristics.


 

Task

We are going to learn more about an atom, its properties, how it behaves and how does it look like. So, in order to do this we need your attention through this WebQuest.

Quantum chemistry is a difficult topic with difficult concepts and it may be a little bit confusing at the beginning, but you will pick up the pace as this WebQuest goes on. Take notes if neccesary!

By the end of this webquest you will be able to understand some basic quantum mechanics concepts, do some exercises ,and maybe have a clearer view of how things on a microscopic scale work.taken from: http://www.123rf.com/photo_11074143_science-design.html

taken from: http://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/measuring_tubes.html

Process

1.-Click on this link. 

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/my-solar-system/my-solar-system_en.html

Select Sun, planet, start and press Start.

2.-Answer the following questions:

a. What is an orbit?
b. What do you think orbital means?


You are probably wrong! Wanna know why?

1. Read the six first paragraphs of this page. http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/properties/atomorbs.html.
2. Watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfngYhl7ZmI.

 Let's learn about Orbitals:

1. Surf this page. http://winter.group.shef.ac.uk/orbitron/. Just look at the nice drawings and do not worry if you do not understand them.
2. Watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuuKZYBCCCk

3. If you have some doubts still, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPDptc0wUYI

Keeping on with the learning, let's learn some things about Quantum Numbers:

1.Take a look at this link. Just read up to the Visualizing electron orbitals part.

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Quantum_Mechanics/09._The_Hydrogen_Atom/Atomic_Theory/Electrons_in_Atoms/Electronic_Orbitals

2. Watch this video, don't forget to pay attention and to take some notes for better learning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK6K68ADKDA

3.Need more info? Then, watch this!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZkS6H5uMeU 

Want to keep on learning? How about we talk about Nodes?

1. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2IlV95ARys 

2. Read the information on this link about radial and angular nodes: http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Quantum_Mechanics/09._The_Hydrogen_Atom/Atomic_Theory/Electrons_in_Atoms/Electronic_Orbitals 

3. Read some more information by clicking on this link: http//chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/8655/structure-of-atom-and-nodes

 

Evaluation

Now, let's test your knowledge on orbitals, nodes and quantum numbers:

  1. What are energy shells?
  2. What is an atomic orbital?
  3. What principle says that it is impossible to define with absolute precision, at the same time, both the position and the momentum of an electron?
  4. The principal quantum number (n) indicates the:
    1. Specific orbital
    2. subshell
    3. Main energy shell
  5. The azimuthal quantum number (ℓ) indicates the:
    1. Specific orbital
    2. Subshell
    3. Energy shell
  6. Which quantum number relates to the orientation of the orbital in space?
  7. True or false. Each energy subshell has at least one orbital. The maximum number of electrons in each orbital is 3.
  8. What does The Pauli Exclusion Principle state?
  9. Which orbital would the electrons fill first? The 2s or 2p orbital?
  10. In the third energy level, what types of sublevels are possible?
    1. s, p
    2. s, p, d, f
    3. s, p, d
  11. True or false. The d‐subshell has orbitals with a maximum of 10 electrons.
  12. Determine the number of angular and radial nodes of a 4f orbital.
  13. What is the shape of an orbital with 4 radial nodes and 1 angular node in the xy plane?

See answers below to see if you were right.

 

 

 

  1. Energy shells are specific regions around the nucleus in which electrons are arranged.
  2. Orbitals are regions of space where electrons in fact inhabit.
  3. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
  4. a. Main energy shell
  5. b. Subshell
  6. The magnetic quantum number, ml.
  7. False. According to the Aufbau Principle, Each orbital can only hold 2 electrons.
  8. That no two electrons in an atom can have the same values for n, l, ml, and ms.
  9. The 2s orbital would be filled before the 2p orbital because orbitals that are lower in energy are filled first. The 2s orbital is lower in energy than the 2p orbital.
  10. c. Based off of the given information, n=4. The sublevels or ℓ integer values ranging from 0 to 3 (n-1) that is the same that s, p and d.
  11. True. Based off of the given information, ℓ =2. The magnetic quantum number, ml, can have integral values ranging -ℓ to ℓ, including 0. In this example that is -2, -1, 0, 1 and 2. So there are 5 orbitals and, according the Aufbau Principle, 10 electrons.
  12. Based off of the given information, n=4 and ℓ=3. Thus, there are 3 angular nodes present. The total number of nodes in this orbital is: 4-1=3, which means there are no radial nodes present.
  13.  1 angular node means ℓ=1 which tells us that we have a p subshell, specifically the pz orbital because the angular node is on the xy plane. The total number of nodes in this orbital is: 4 radial nodes +1 angular node=5 nodes. To find n, solve the equation: nodes=n-1; in this case, 5=n-1, so n=6. This gives us a: 6pz orbital
Conclusion

Congratulations! You have made it through this webquest. By now, you should be able to remember some important theory of quantum chemistry, know what quantum numbers are and solve problems related to them.Though a short and abreviated glance into what quantum theory is, with this webquest you have learned the bases, that are going to be hugely necessary during your college career.If you want to know more about quantum mechanics in general, you should keep investigating and studying. It all depends on you.Taken from: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/399624166905534777/

Credits

This WebQuest was created by:

  • Aguirre Jair
  • Preciado Rosa
  • Sabando Cristina

We used these links: