Open Question
Suppose that the spin quantum number, ms, could have three allowed values instead of two. How would this affect the number of elements in the first four rows of the periodic table?
Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement177
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions231
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry216
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution189
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry175
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms168
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements150
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding177
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories200
- Ch.10 - Gases180
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces113
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials154
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions157
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics199
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium128
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria164
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria163
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment105
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics164
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry171
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals82
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry79
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry16
Chapter 6, Problem 104a
In the experiment shown schematically below, a beam of neutral atoms is passed through a magnetic field. Atoms that have unpaired electrons are deflected in different directions in the magnetic field depending on the value of the electron spin quantum number. In the experiment illustrated, we envision that a beam of hydrogen atoms splits into two beams. (a) What is the significance of the observation that the single beam splits into two beams?
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the key components of the experiment: a beam of neutral hydrogen atoms, a slit, a horseshoe magnet, and a beam plate collector.
Understand that the hydrogen atoms have one electron, which can have an electron spin quantum number of either +1/2 or -1/2.
Recognize that the magnetic field created by the horseshoe magnet interacts with the magnetic moments of the unpaired electrons in the hydrogen atoms.
Explain that the interaction between the magnetic field and the electron spins causes the beam of hydrogen atoms to split into two separate beams, corresponding to the two possible spin states (+1/2 and -1/2).
Conclude that the observation of the beam splitting into two beams signifies the presence of unpaired electrons in the hydrogen atoms and demonstrates the quantization of electron spin.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electron Spin Quantum Number
The electron spin quantum number (s) describes the intrinsic angular momentum of electrons, which can take values of +1/2 or -1/2. This property is crucial in determining how electrons behave in magnetic fields, as unpaired electrons will align with or against the magnetic field, leading to observable effects such as deflection in experiments.
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01:18
Spin Quantum Number
Magnetic Deflection of Atoms
When a beam of neutral atoms passes through a magnetic field, atoms with unpaired electrons experience a force due to their magnetic moments. This force causes the atoms to deflect in different directions based on their spin states, resulting in the splitting of the beam into distinct paths, which can be measured and analyzed.
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00:59Magnetic Quantum Example
Significance of Beam Splitting
The splitting of a single beam of hydrogen atoms into two distinct beams indicates the presence of two different spin states of the electrons in the atoms. This observation is significant as it provides evidence for quantum mechanical properties of particles, illustrating how quantum states can lead to observable macroscopic effects in experiments.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Using the periodic table as a guide, write the condensed electron configuration and determine the number of unpaired electrons for the ground state of (a) Cl (b) Al (c) Zr (d) As (e) Sb (f) W.
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Textbook Question
Scientists have speculated that element 126 might have a moderate stability, allowing it to be synthesized and characterized. Predict what the condensed electron configuration of this element might be.
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Textbook Question
In the experiment shown schematically below, a beam of neutral atoms is passed through a magnetic field. Atoms that have unpaired electrons are deflected in different directions in the magnetic field depending on the value of the electron spin quantum number. In the experiment illustrated, we envision that a beam of hydrogen atoms splits into two beams. (c) What do you think would happen if the beam of hydrogen atoms were replaced with a beam of helium atoms? Why?
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Open Question
Microwave ovens use microwave radiation to heat food. The energy of the microwaves is absorbed by water molecules in food and then transferred to other components of the food. (a) Suppose that the microwave radiation has a wavelength of 10 cm. How many photons are required to heat 200 mL of water from 25 to 75 °C?
Open Question
The stratospheric ozone (O3) layer helps to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It does so by absorbing ultraviolet light and falling apart into an O2 molecule and an oxygen atom, a process known as photodissociation. O3(g) → O2(g) + O(g). Use the data in Appendix C to calculate the enthalpy change for this reaction. What is the maximum wavelength a photon can have if it is to possess sufficient energy to cause this dissociation? In what portion of the spectrum does this wavelength occur?