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Ch.7 - Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
Chapter 7, Problem 57

Which electron is, on average, closer to the nucleus: an electron in a 2s orbital or an electron in a 3s orbital?

Verified step by step guidance
1
<Understand the concept of atomic orbitals and their energy levels. The principal quantum number, n, indicates the energy level and size of the orbital.>
<Recognize that the 2s orbital has a principal quantum number of n=2, while the 3s orbital has n=3.>
<Recall that orbitals with lower principal quantum numbers are generally closer to the nucleus.>
<Consider the radial distribution of s orbitals, which shows that electrons in lower energy levels (like 2s) are more likely to be found closer to the nucleus than those in higher energy levels (like 3s).>
<Conclude that, on average, an electron in a 2s orbital is closer to the nucleus than an electron in a 3s orbital due to the lower principal quantum number.>