Why Are Electron Energies Limited?
Electron standing waves and the origin of allowed energy levels
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Why were electrons limited
Electron Standing Waves
School blocks YouTube? Use the file below. St. Mary's U. Astronomy and Physics Dept.
1. An electron is a standing wave. (A bound wave)
5 wavelengths
4 wavelengths
3 wavelengths
2 wavelengths
2. Circular standing waves can only be a whole number of wavelengths
Monterey Institute for Technology and Education
3. Limited wavelengths mean limited possible energies
Possible Electron Circumferences
= 2∏r = nλ
where n = 1,2,3,4 etc
Wavelength - describes probability of finding an electron at particular position.
Electron is a wave circled in on itself This standing wave has four cycles
The angular (circular) momentum of
...because a circular electron wave must be a whole number of wavelengths
Then C = 2(∏)r = nλ
where n = 1,2,3,4 etc
And λ = h/p = h/mv
Then … 2(∏)r = nh/mv
Angular Momentum = mvr = n[h/2∏]
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Check Your Understanding
5 quick questions — pick an answer to see if you’re right.
1. Why are electrons in atoms limited to certain energies?
2. An electron's orbit circumference is 2πr. Which condition must it satisfy?
3. An electron standing wave fits 4 wavelengths around its orbit. If λ = 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ m, what is the circumference?
4. An electron's angular momentum (mvr) is restricted to…
5. In this wave model, what does the electron's wave describe?