Question

The equations of quantum mechanics work beautifully only if you accept that it's all about:

a) Electrons behaving like bowling balls.
b) Where an electron comes from.
c) Which orbit an electron is in.
d) Where an electron is trying to go.
e) Where an electron probably is.

Answer 1

Quantum mechanics is all about the probability of where an electron probably is, rather than knowing its exact location.

Step-by-step explanation:

At the heart of quantum mechanics is the idea that we cannot accurately specify the location of an electron. All we can say is that there is a probability that it exists within a certain volume of space. The scientist Erwin Schrödinger developed an equation that deals with these calculations, which we will not pursue at this time.

In the quantum-mechanical model of an atom, the location of electrons is described by four quantum numbers. The first three quantum numbers identify approximately where electrons are in an atom, while the fourth quantum number describes the electron's spin.

In summary, the equations of quantum mechanics work beautifully if we accept that it's all about the probability of where an electron probably is, rather than knowing its exact location.