Final answer:
The quantum mechanical model describes the energy levels available to an electron and the probability of finding it in specific orbitals around an atom’s nucleus. It represents a more accurate understanding of electron behavior than the earlier Bohr model.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quantum mechanical model describes the energy an electron can have and the probability of finding the electron in various locations around the nucleus of an atom. Electrons occupy orbitals, which are regions of space determined by their energies, and the probability where an electron might be at any given time.
Previously, the Bohr model, often depicted like a planetary system, asserted that electrons move in fixed orbits with quantized energies. However, the modern understanding of atomic structure, which includes the quantum mechanical model, indicates that these orbits are not fixed paths but rather probabilistic regions where electrons are likely to be found, called orbitals. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, and these fill in a specific order that reflects the electron configuration of an atom.
The quantum mechanical model is essential in understanding atomic and molecular structure, and it is crucial for explaining phenomena observed in chemistry and physics.