In: Chemistry
Which statements are true for an electron in the 1s orbital of
hydrogen ?
1. The potential energy of the electron is negative.
2. The total energy of the electron is constant.
3. The kinetic energy of the electron is positive.
1.The hydrogen atom represents the simplest possible atom, since it consists of only one proton and one electron. The electron is bound, or confined. Its potential energy function U(r) expresses its electrostatic potential energy as a function of its distance r from the proton.
U(r) = -q2/(4πε0r) = -e2/r..Here e2 is defined as q2/(4πε0). In SI unit 1/(4πε0) = 9*109 Nm2/C2, and q = 1.6*10-19 C. The figure on the right shows the shape of U(r) in a plane containing the origin. The potential energy is chosen to be zero at infinity. The electron in the hydrogen atom is confined in the potential well, and its total energy is negative. TRue 2. En = -me4/(2ħ2n2) = -13.6 eV/n2. Here n is called the principle quantum number. The values En are the possible value for the total electron in the hydrogen atom.. 3.The average potential energy is -me4/(ħ2n2) and the average kinetic energy is me4/(2ħ2n2).True |