Reasoning behind the box shape
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
Reasoning behind the box shape
Maybe I am taking this too literally, but why would the electron be stuck near an atom in a box shape? Wouldn't a sphere or a wave-like sphere be more accurate? Or is this just an oversimplification to express that the electron is bound?
-
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:53 am
- Been upvoted: 1 time
Re: Reasoning behind the box shape
The orbitals and the box shape are completely theoretical. Electrons do not actually travel in these exact shapes; these shapes are more of a mathematical approach of thinking which area the electron could be found. Do not take the shapes literally, but think of it in terms of the area the electron is likely to be.
-
- Posts: 23858
- Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:53 pm
- Has upvoted: 1253 times
Re: Reasoning behind the box shape
It's just a toy model. Basically, there are lots of models in quantum mechanics, because we very quickly move out of the realm where we can solve things analytically. The particle in a box, in particular, is one of the easiest models when learning quantum mechanics because there are solutions for the energies and wave functions. As we move to more realistic systems, for example, the hydrogen atom, it quickly gets more complex. In addition, while it might not be representative of most systems, there actually materials or systems that behave similarly to these "simple systems".
Return to “*Particle in a Box”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest