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Erwin Schrödinger, in developing a quantum-mechanical
model for the atom, began with a classical equation for the properties of
waves. He modified this equation to take into account the mass of a
particle and the de Broglie relationship between mass and wavelength. The
important consequences of the quantum-mechanical view of atoms are the
following:-
- The energy of electrons in atoms is quantised.
- The number of possible energy levels for electrons in atoms of
different elements is a direct consequence of wave-like properties of
electrons.
- The position and momentum of an electron cannot both be determined
simultaneously.
- The region in space around the nucleus in which an electron is most
probably located is what can be predicted for each electron in an
atom. Electrons of different energies are likely to be found in
different regions. The region in which an electron with a specific
energy will most probably be located is called an atomic orbital.
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