electron cloud
Atomic fuzzy shell
The electron cloud is a model for visualizing electrons in an atom—not as particles orbiting a nucleus like planets, but as a fuzzy region of probability where electrons are likely to be found.
The cloud is denser where electrons spend more time.
This model replaced the older planetary picture because electrons behave more like waves than discrete objects: The electron cloud determines an atom's size and how it bonds with other atoms.
Central controlling part
- orbitalRevolving around another
- shellHard outer covering
- subshellOrbital subset within shell
- valenceCombining power measure
hybridization · bonding · energy levels · node · lobe
Quantum state's mathematical representation
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- HeisenbergGerman quantum theorist
indeterminacy · measurement · collapse · amplitude · delocalization · standing wave · Schrodinger equation · quantum state
Bounding line of shape
Shared-electron atomic link
- ionic bondElectrostatic attraction between ions
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- nonpolarElectrically balanced molecule type
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
nucleus
Central controlling part
valence · hybridization · bonding · energy levels · node · lobe
wavefunction
Quantum state's mathematical representation
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
Heisenberg · indeterminacy · measurement · collapse · amplitude · delocalization · standing wave · Schrodinger equation · quantum state · coherence
contour
Bounding line of shape
covalent bond
Shared-electron atomic link
- ionic bondElectrostatic attraction between ions
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- nonpolarElectrically balanced molecule type
- electricitybattery, batteries, wire, wires, outlet
- atomic physicsatom, atoms, atomic nucleus, atomic number, atomic mass
- atomic scienceatom, proton, neutron, nucleus, element
- chemistryatom, atoms, organic chemistry, molecule, chemistry
- electronsbeta particle
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
electron cloudplanetary orbit
Path around a star
circular orbit · electron shell · elliptical orbit · atomic orbital
cloud, electricity, electronic, electrical, electronics, electrify, electron, electrifying, electrons