Which model of the atom explains the orbitals of electrons as waves?

• A. Quantum mechanical model
• B. Rutherford model
• C. Bohr model
• D. Thomson's plum pudding model

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that atomic models have evolved to explain different properties of atoms, especially the behavior of electrons.
2. Recall that Thomson's plum pudding model described the atom as a uniform positive sphere with embedded electrons, without addressing electron behavior in detail.
3. Recognize that Rutherford's model introduced a nucleus with electrons orbiting around it, but did not explain electron wave properties or orbitals.
4. Know that Bohr's model introduced quantized electron orbits but treated electrons as particles moving in fixed paths, not as waves.
5. Identify that the Quantum Mechanical Model explains electrons as wave-like entities and introduces orbitals as regions of probability where electrons are likely to be found, based on wave functions.