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13: Atomic Structure

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    76694
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    In this chapter, we use quantum mechanics to study the structure and properties of atoms. This study introduces ideas and concepts that are necessary to understand more complex systems, such as molecules, crystals, and metals. As we deepen our understanding of atoms, we build on things we already know, such as Rutherford’s nuclear model of the atom, Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom, and de Broglie’s wave hypothesis.

    Thumbnail: Spin-orbit coupling is the interaction of an electron’s spin magnetic moment \(\vec{\mu}_s\) with its orbital magnetic moment \(\vec{\mu}_l\).


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