Question

Which of the following statements is NOT true of an electron's ground state? A. The electron is at its lowest possible energy level. B. The electron is in a quantized energy level. C. The electron is traveling along its smallest possible orbital radius. D. The electron is static.

Short answer

D. The electron is static.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Electron's Ground State

An electron's ground state refers to the state where it has the lowest possible energy in an atom. This state is important in understanding the electron's behavior and properties.

Analyze Statement A

Statement A says the electron is at its lowest possible energy level. This is true by definition of ground state.

Analyze Statement B

Statement B says the electron is in a quantized energy level. In quantum mechanics, electrons occupy quantized energy levels, even in their ground state. So, this statement is true.

Analyze Statement C

Statement C says the electron is traveling along its smallest possible orbital radius. In the ground state, the electron does have the smallest possible orbital radius, so this is true.

Analyze Statement D

Statement D says the electron is static. Electrons in an atom are always moving, even in the ground state. They are not static, so this statement is NOT true.

Key concepts

lowest energy level

An electron's ground state is when it is at its lowest possible energy level.
This level is the most stable for the electron.
In this state, the electron possesses the least amount of energy compared to any other possible position within the atom. This principle is crucial in quantum mechanics.
It shows that the electron prefers to be at a minimal energy level to maintain stability.
If the electron gains energy, it will move to a higher energy level, but it tends to return to the ground state by releasing energy in the form of light.

quantized energy levels

In quantum mechanics, electrons are found in quantized energy levels.
This means that the energy electrons have is not just any value, but specific, fixed amounts.
Think of it like a staircase, where the electron can only stand on the steps, not in between them. This quantization explains why electrons occupy distinct energy levels and why energy changes in atoms are discrete.
When an electron moves between these levels, it absorbs or emits a fixed amount of energy, known as a photon. This concept helps explain atomic spectra and the colors we see when elements emit light.

orbital radius

An electron in its ground state also has the smallest possible orbital radius.
The orbital radius refers to the average distance of the electron from the nucleus.
In the ground state, this radius is minimized because the electron occupies the closest possible energy level to the nucleus.
For example, in the hydrogen atom, the electron in the ground state resides in the first orbit closest to the nucleus, creating the smallest orbital radius possible for that atom.

electron movement

Electrons are always in motion, even in their ground state.
This continuous movement is due to their intrinsic properties and the forces acting on them within the atom.
In the ground state, although the electron has the lowest energy, it never remains static.
It constantly moves around the nucleus in a wave-like manner, creating an electron cloud. This cloud represents the probability of finding the electron in various locations around the nucleus.