Questions: Which of the following contributed to the idea that electrons occupy orbitals? Select the correct answer below: Aufbau principle Pauli exclusion principle Hund's principle Heisenberg uncertainty Principle

Solution Steps

The question asks which principle contributed to the idea that electrons occupy orbitals.

The options provided are:

1. Aufbau principle
2. Pauli exclusion principle
3. Hund's principle
4. Heisenberg uncertainty principle

• Aufbau principle: This principle states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the highest. It helps in determining the electron configuration of an atom.
• Pauli exclusion principle: This principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. It explains the unique arrangement of electrons in orbitals.
• Hund's principle: This principle states that electrons will fill degenerate orbitals (orbitals of the same energy) singly before pairing up. It helps in understanding the distribution of electrons in orbitals.
• Heisenberg uncertainty principle: This principle states that it is impossible to simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of an electron. It introduces the concept of probability distributions for electron positions, leading to the idea of orbitals.

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle contributed to the idea that electrons occupy orbitals by introducing the concept of probability distributions for electron positions.

Final Answer