Questions: Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding Interpreting the radial probability distribution of an orbital Here is a sketch of the radial probability distribution of three orbitals: Use this sketch to answer the following questions.

Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding
Interpreting the radial probability distribution of an orbital

Here is a sketch of the radial probability distribution of three orbitals:

Use this sketch to answer the following questions.

Transcript text: Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding Interpreting the radial probability distribution of an orbital Here is a sketch of the radial probability distribution of three orbitals: Use this sketch to answer the following questions.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Find the most likely distance for orbital B

The peak of the curve for orbital B corresponds to the most likely distance of an electron from the nucleus. This peak appears to be at 300 pm.

Step 2: List orbitals in order of increasing energy

Orbital A is closest to the nucleus, followed by B, and then C. The closer an orbital is to the nucleus, the lower its energy. Therefore, the order of increasing energy is A, B, C.

Step 3: Determine most effective screening orbital

Electrons in inner orbitals are effective at screening outer electrons from the full charge of the nucleus. Since A is the innermost orbital, an electron in orbital A would be the most effective at screening.

Final Answer:

300 pm
A, B, C
A

Was this solution helpful?

Unhelpful

Helpful

Questions asked by other users

< Previous Next >

Thank you for your feedback.

Copied!