Question

How do electrons in the same atom differ?

Answer 1

Electrons in the same atom differ in their energy levels and quantum numbers, such as spin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electrons of an atom all have the same charge and the same mass, but each electron has a different amount of energy. Electrons that have the lowest energy are found closest to the nucleus (where the attractive force of the positively charged nucleus is the greatest) and the electrons that have higher energy (and are able to overcome the attractive force of the nucleus) are found further away.

For example, in the case of helium, the two electrons in the 1s orbital are each unique and distinct from one another because their spins are different. One of the electrons has a + spin while the other electron has a -spin. This is due to the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.

Overall, the key difference between electrons in the same atom is their energy levels and quantum numbers, including their spins.

Answer 2

Electrons in the same atom differ because they can have different quantum numbers

Further explanation

Atoms consist of sub-particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons

The proton is positively charged (+1), the electron is negatively charged (-1). and neutrons not charged (neutral)

The electron configuration shows the energy level in the atom

The further away from the core, the higher the energy level

In the electron configuration we follow 3 rules:

• 1. Aufbau: Electrons occupy orbitals of the lowest energy
• 2 Hund: electrons fill orbitals with the same energy level
• 3. Pauli: no electrons have the same 4 quantum numbers

Each orbital consists of 4 quantum numbers

• n: the principal
• l: the angular momentum / azimuthal
• ml: the magnetic
• ms: the electron-spin

From Pauli's rule, an electron can have 3 same but different quantum numbers in ms (quantum spin)

For example in the 1s orbital, then the quantum value of the 2 electrons that occupy the orbital:

• first electron: n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = +1/2
• second electron: n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = -1/2

Therefore, in one orbital it is not allowed to fill more than 2 electrons because the quantum numbers will be the same