Electronic Structure of Atoms

2.8. Summary

In this Chapter, the electronic structure of atoms and its implications on the bonding and the formation of energy bands in solids have been presented. Early experiments conducted on even the simplest atom that of hydrogen, showed that classical mechanics was insufficient and that a new theory, called wave or quantum mechanics was necessary in order to understand the observed physical phenomena.

The notion of electron density function and the Bohr radius have been introduced. The concepts of atomic orbitals and quantum numbers to identify the allowed discrete energy levels for electrons in an atom have been discussed. The nature of the bonding between atoms in a solid, be it ionic, covalent, mixed, metallic or secondary, has been described by taking into account the interaction of electrons in the higher energy levels in the atoms in presence. Finally, the formation of energy bands and the concept of conduction and valence bands have been introduced through the interaction of multiple atoms.