Category: Natural Sciences
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tungsten diselenide
Tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is a compound that belongs to the class of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). TMDs are layered materials composed of transition metal atoms (such as tungsten) sandwiched between chalcogen atoms (such as selenium). Tungsten diselenide has garnered significant interest in recent years due to its unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, as well…
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Overlapping Orbitals
Overlapping orbitals refer to the spatial interaction between atomic orbitals of adjacent atoms when they come together to form chemical bonds. The degree and type of overlap determine the strength and nature of the bond formed between the atoms. Overlapping orbitals are a fundamental concept in understanding covalent bonding and the formation of molecules. Here…
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pi (π) bonds
Pi (π) bonds are a type of covalent chemical bond that forms when two parallel p orbitals overlap sideways, creating a region of electron density above and below the internuclear axis. Pi bonds are typically associated with multiple bonds, such as double bonds or triple bonds, and play a significant role in determining the overall…
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Hybridization
Hybridization is a concept in chemistry that describes the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals with different geometries, energies, and properties. Hybridization occurs to explain the observed shapes and bond angles in molecules that cannot be explained by the standard atomic orbitals alone. It is a key concept in understanding molecular geometry…
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Covalent Bond Formation
Covalent bond formation is a type of chemical bond that involves the sharing of electrons between atoms. This bond is typically formed between nonmetal atoms and is characterized by the mutual attraction of the shared electron pair to both nuclei. Covalent bonds are responsible for holding molecules together and are essential for the structure and…
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Orbital Shapes
Orbital shapes refer to the spatial distribution of electron probability density around the nucleus of an atom. These shapes are determined by the type of atomic orbital (s, p, d, f) and its associated quantum numbers (principal, azimuthal, and magnetic). Each type of orbital has a distinct shape and orientation, contributing to the overall electron…
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Electron Cloud
The term “electron cloud” refers to the region around the nucleus of an atom where electrons are likely to be found. This cloud represents the probability distribution of finding an electron at various positions and energy levels within the atom. In the context of atomic theory and quantum mechanics, the electron cloud is a more…
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Energy Levels and Subshells
Energy levels and subshells are important concepts in atomic structure and quantum mechanics that describe the distribution of electrons within an atom’s electron cloud. These concepts help explain the organization of electrons in different energy states and orbitals. Energy Levels: Energy levels, also known as electron shells or principal energy levels, are quantized regions around…
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Electron Spin
Electron spin is an intrinsic property of electrons that contributes to their overall quantum state and behavior. It is one of the fundamental properties of electrons, along with their charge and mass. Electron spin plays a crucial role in determining the electronic structure of atoms and the behavior of electrons in various chemical and physical…
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Aufbau Principle
The Aufbau principle, often referred to as “Aufbau rule” or “building-up principle,” is a fundamental concept in chemistry and quantum mechanics that describes the order in which electrons fill atomic orbitals within an atom. It outlines the sequence in which electrons occupy orbitals based on their increasing energy levels, following the Pauli exclusion principle and…