For which H-atom wavefunction are you mostlikely to find the electron farthest from thenucleus?1.2p2.3p3.4pcorrect4.2s5.1s

Question

Chemistry

Lili

18 October, 07:57

For which H-atom wavefunction are you mostlikely to find the electron farthest from thenucleus?1.2p2.3p3.4pcorrect4.2s5.1s

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Answers (1)

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June Dodson · Answer 1

Option 3. 4p

Explanation:

The greater the principal quantum number, i. e. the main energy level, means that the electron is occupying a larger orbital (bigger radius) thus you must check which wavefunction has the bigger principal quantum number. When two electrons have the same principal quantum number, then you must check the orbital shape because the rank of the radii of the orbitals in increasing order is: s < p < d < f.

The list of choices is:

1. 2p 2. 3p 3. 4p 4. 2s 5. 1s

Hence, the wavefunction 4p (third option) is the largest one and, so, it is for it that you mostlikely would find the electron the farthest from its nucleus.