The ""size"" of an atom is sometimes considered to be measured by the radius of the sphere that contains 90% of the charge density of the electrons in the outermost occupied orbital. Calculate the ""size"" of a hydrogen atom in its ground state according to this definition. Go on to explore how the ""size"" varies as the definition is changed to other percentages and plot your conclusion.

Question

Chemistry

Izabella Berry

8 March, 15:46

The ""size"" of an atom is sometimes considered to be measured by the radius of the sphere that contains 90% of the charge density of the electrons in the outermost occupied orbital. Calculate the ""size"" of a hydrogen atom in its ground state according to this definition. Go on to explore how the ""size"" varies as the definition is changed to other percentages and plot your conclusion.

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Answers (1)

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Morrow · Answer 1

Is about 0.53 angstroms

Explanation:

The "size" of an atom in this definition is related with the nucleus size plus the cloud of electrons that surround the nucleus, in this case, since the Hydrogen in its basic state has only one electron, practically the size of the nucleus is the size of the atom, that is 0.53 angstroms or 5.3 x 10 - 11 meters.

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