Name: Schrodinger's Wave Equation
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 28 s
Description: The Schrödinger equation is an equation on linear partial differential that describes the wave function in quantum mechanics. It helps to understand the stru...

Question

Explain why atoms with half filled and completely filled orbitals have extra stability ?

Accepted Answer

Stability of half filled and completely filled electronic configuration can be explained in terms of symmetry and exchange energy.

(i) Symmetrical distribution of electrons:- It is well known fact that symmetry leads to stability. Thus, the electronic configurations in which all the orbitals of the same subshell are either completely filled or are exactly half filled are more stable because of symmetrical distribution of electrons. For example, the expected electronic configuration of chromium $(Z = 24)$ is as follows :

But if one of the 4s electrons shifts to the vacant 3d-orbital, the distribution of the electrons will
become more symmetrical and this will impart extra stability. Therefore, the electronic configuration of Cr, as given above, is wrong and the actual configuration is as follows:

(ii) Exchange energy:- Exchange means shifting of electron from one orbital to another with in the same subshell. Energy is released when electron's exchange their position and is called the exchange energy.The maximum number of electron exchanges the maximum energy released and maximum the stability.

Explain why atoms with half filled and completely filled orbitals have extra stability ?

Important Questions on Structure of Atom

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