Multiple Choice
Which of the following electron configurations represents a potassium atom (K) in an excited state?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Why is the current atomic model referred to as the 'electron cloud model'?
A
Because electrons are grouped together in a dense layer surrounding the nucleus.
B
Because electrons are visualized as existing in regions of probability rather than fixed orbits.
C
Because electrons move in circular paths around the nucleus.
D
Because electrons are stationary and form a solid shell around the nucleus.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that earlier atomic models, like the Bohr model, depicted electrons as moving in fixed, circular orbits around the nucleus.
Recognize that modern quantum mechanics shows electrons do not have precise paths but instead exist in regions where they are likely to be found, called orbitals.
Learn that these regions of probability are often visualized as a 'cloud' where the density of the cloud represents the likelihood of finding an electron in that space.
Realize that this probabilistic approach replaces the idea of electrons moving in fixed orbits with a more accurate model based on wave functions and uncertainty principles.
Therefore, the current atomic model is called the 'electron cloud model' because it represents electrons as spread out in a cloud-like region of probability around the nucleus, rather than fixed paths.
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