Orbital Definition and 820 Threads

This is a very basic question, but what is orbital angular momentum actually? I know it can be quantized as zero, 1, etc. What is it in layman's terms? I tend to understand it in terms like the Earth orbiting the sun. Spin on the other hand is either right or left spin. So what do the different...

I'm trying to understand electron orbitals. I'm a beginner. I'm looking at the shapes of p orbitals in a chemistry book, and it's talking about Hydrogen. I'm surprised to see that the orbitals are not spherically symmetric. How can that be when the nucleus is spherically symmetric? Can a...

Hello. I'm new on this forum and I hope I'm posting this in the right place. This is not for a homework assignment but a spare-time project I'm working on. Homework Statement The goal with this project is to make a simple program that simulates an object that orbits a single fixed point...

I learned on the textbook that human calculated the orbital of planets that near the Earth first then based on the difference of the actual data of the planet orbitaland that of human predicted, human calculated out other planets' orbital and predicted some planets like Neptune and Pluto. I...

Hello, I have a little three-body (well n-body but let's just worry about 3 now) simulator. I input six Keplerian orbital elements (period P, eccentricity E, inclination I, longitude of the ascending node W, argument of periapse w and initial true anomaly f). They then get converted to...

For a long time I've wondered how you derive the equations of orbital motion from the law of universal gravitation. Recently I've been feeling like my mathematics knowledge has caught up to the point where I can attempt to do this myself, but I keep getting stuck at the same point and I was...

Homework Statement An artificial satellite circles the Earth in a circular orbit at a location where the acceleration due to gravity is 6.32 m/s^2. Determine the orbital period of the satellite [in minutes].Homework Equations g= G \frac{M_E}{r^2} Solving for r, and G is a constant T^2=K_sr^3...

I am working my way through Ian Fleming's 'Molecular Orbtials and Organic Chemical Reactions' and I am having trouble with one of the exercise questions. (Ch2 Q1) It reads: Given that two pi bonds conjugated together have a lower energy than two separate pi bonds and a C-H bond conjugated with...

Homework Statement If calculating the orbital velocity of an asteroid at perihelion I use: Vp = {GM/a ((1+e)/(1-e))}^0.5 Is the G the gravitational constant G = 6.67x10^-11 Is M the mass of the sun = 1.988x10^30 kg Is 'a' the mean distance of the asteroid from the Sun in metres/km/AU ...

Is there any kind of celestial event that could occur that could completely lock the Earth's rotation such that it is constantly facing the sun, in the same way the moon is tidally locked to the earth? What would it take? Could it be caused by the passage or entrance of a new gravitational...

Hi. I am wondering when should we use hybridized orbital? For PH3, we don't use hybridized orbital because it could be described by the valence shell method. The valence shell orbital diagram: p: [Ne] 3s:up down 3p: up up up And we have 3 up. so the 3 extra electrons from hydrogen...

I must say that I have not studied celestial mechanics other than the crumbs I learned at high school. Now, what discomforts me is the orbital period formula I saw on Wikipedia: T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{a^3}{G(M_1+M_2)}} I do not understand where does this M1+M2 can possibly come from. My thinking is...

Homework Statement What are the orbital angular momentum possible values for an electron in a hydrogen atom with a principal quantum number n = 3? Homework Equations L = \sqrt{l(l+1)}\hbar The Attempt at a Solution Possible values for l are 0, 1, 2. So, substituting these in...

The angle of the water H2O molecule is 104.5°, the angle of ammonia H3N is 107°. The angle between 2 p-orbitals is 90°, the angle between 2 sp3 hybrid orbitals is 109°28', the tetrahedral angle. Why is it assumed that water is a "greatly" expanded p-orbital angle, rather then a "slightly"...

I've always learned that putting energy-photons into an atom can bump an electron up to a "higher energy state", and that when the electron "falls" back down into a lower energy state, it then emits a photon, and so forth. What I never seem to find, however, in these descriptions are any...

Homework Statement a satellite having a mass of 1800 kg orbits the Earth at a distance of 6.3 x 10^5 m above the surface find the gravitational potential energy of the satellite while in orbit, the orbital speed and the binding satellite. The Attempt at a Solution gravitational potential...

Hi guys, my first post here :) lately I've been trying to understand how orbiting bodies (i.e. galileian moon of Jupiter) have arranged themselves in resonance the 1:1 resonance is pretty straightforward to understand. but more complex relations like the one I cited above, how do they...

First of all am I right in thinking that ( comparitivly ) low orbits such as the ISS need very high velocities (in the region on 17,000 mph ) and that orbits further out require less speed ? Is there a "sweet spot" orbit that requires a minimum velocity ? what's the minimum velocity...

Homework Statement We have a system of 2 indistinguishable spin-1 bosons. We shall adopt the center of mass frame. Let S = total spin L = relative orbital angular momentum J = L+S = total angular momentum Prove that J = 2m where m is an integer. If given that J=1, what are the permissible...

Hi, I am doing research for a story and would like to set it on a habitable moon in orbit around a gas giant. I've done a bit of research on this and understand that the moon would likely be tidally locked, so that only one face of the Moon would ever face the gas giant. I understand that...

Homework Statement "A satellite orbits the Earth in a circular orbit of radius r. If the orbital speed of the satellite is v, what is the orbital period T of the satellite in terms of v and r? You must explain how you derive the expression for the period."Homework Equations Speed =...

I've been looking at some sections in GR textbooks that deal with the orbital decay of the binary pulsar PSR B1913+16 (Straumann's General Relativity: With Applications to Astrophysics and Padmanabhan's Gravitation have some pretty good sections on this) , and I noticed something strange to do...

Using the equation P2 = (4 * pi2 * a3)/(G(M+m)) to find the orbital period of Earth where: P = orbital period a = semi-major axis = 1.50e11 m G = 6.67e-11 m3 kg-1 s-2 M = mass of sun (in this case) = 1.989e30 kg m = mass of Earth = 5.972e24 kg I have been trying to find the orbital...

Hi, I understand that there are various types of orbitals (s, p, d, f, etc.) If we take Lithium for example, its electron configuration would be 1s2, 2s1. What would be the requirements for there to be a p-orbital? Does it have to do with the number of electrons? Thanks,

Why Group 15 elements(except Nitrogen) have empty d orbitals while bonding? Aufbau Principle states that electrons are added in orbitals only in the increasing order of energy of sub-shells.Also Bohr Bury rule adds to the above principle that increasing order of energy depends on the value of...

Question on Molecular Orbital Theory (and the "dot" that represents no interaction) I have a question about the "dot" that represents no interaction between orbitals. For example, in the molecular orbitals of H3, there is the lowest energy molecular orbital that has two bonding interactions...

Hi I am reading about quantization of orbital angular momentum and, as I read, I am trying to compare it to the theory I already know on how atoms behave in magnetic fields. Here is the situation so far (I only look at 1-electron atoms to keep it simple for now): I assume the quantization...

I am not a physicist, as will be indicated by what may turn out to be a ridiculous question, but this was something that popped into my head while day dreaming :shy: Star A Planet B Am I right in saying that if Planet B were to approach Star A at the correct angle, it could slingshot...

Homework Statement Ok so this satellite is orbiting the earth. The position vector is r = -0.707i + 0.707j + 0k and velocity vector is v = 0i + 0.5j + 0k. To find Vo (the angle between vector n and e), my book said the formula to use is arccos{(e dot r)/(|e||r|)}. However, I got 98 degree by...

I am trying to self-learn quantum mechanics pertaining to Lanthanide ions. For a given set of J and MJ quantum numbers in a valence 4f^2 electronic configuration, J=0,2,4,6 and MJ=0,6,-6. The |J,MJ> basis functions are |0,0>, |2,0>, |4,0>, 1/2[|6,6>+|6,-6>]+sqrt(1/2)|6,0>, and...

Firstly, what happens to Earth's orbit around the sun should it gain or lose mass? I would instinctively guess that a less massive Earth would have less gravitational attraction to the sun, therefore widening the orbit. However, I understand that orbital mechanics can run counter-intuitively...

Homework Statement If each orbital can hold a maximum of 3 electrons, the number of elements in the 4th period of long form of periodic table will be? Homework Equations ? The Attempt at a Solution I am not able to decide from where should I begin?

If we had an array of detectors in an orbit around the sun could we magnify the image of distant star systems. Would this help to detect planets using this magnification?

I read the following on a page about atomic orbitals (p and d orbitals in particular) which seem 2 me like 3d lemniscates (figures 8 or ∞ rotated about an axis of symmetry to form tear drop pairs or toruses. http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/properties/atomorbs.html Taking chemistry further...

I have some doubts about the implications of the orbital angular operators and its eigenvectors (maybe the reason is that I have a weak knowledge on QM). If we choose the measurement of the z axis and therefore the Lz operator, the are the following spherical harmonics for l=1...

For a radial potential proportional to r^k, the virial theorem says \bar{T}=c(k)\bar{V}. My problem says to show that c(k)=k/2 for a circular orbit. I actually solved the problem all ready (by setting the gradiant of the potential equal to the centripetal force and solving for 1/2*m*v^2.)...

Hi, For single-electron atomic systems, the electron can be specified by four quantum numbers n, l, m_l, m_s (principal, orbital, z-orbital, z-spin). The orbital quantum numbers are well defined since the problem is spherically symmetric. However, for many-electron systems, the spherical...

Homework Statement "The angular part of the wave function for the dxy orbital is (√(15/∏)/4)sin^2(θ)sin(2ϕ). Show that this expression corresponds to the dxy orbital" Homework Equations conversion of Cartesian to spherical coordinates: r=√(x^2+y^2+z^2) cosθ=z/r tan(ϕ)=y/x trig...

Homework Statement "The angular part of the wave function for the dxy orbital is (√(15/∏)/4)sin^2(θ)sin(2\phi). Show that this expression corresponds to the dxy orbital" Homework Equations conversion of Cartesian to spherical coordinates: r=√(x^2+y^2+z^2) cosθ=z/r tan(\phi)=y/x...

Homework Statement A planet's mean distance from the sun is 2.00x10^11 m. Determine the planet's orbital period. Use information found in textbook. Homework Equations So I use the following equations: R=h+Rs T=2∏√(R3/GxMs) From the textbook I got the following values...

I'm trying to determine the length of time Pluto spends above/below the ecliptic. I've got these figures: semi-major axis: 39.264 AU semi-minor axis: 34.031 AU orbital eccentricity: 0.249 approx orbital circumference: 230.85 AU orbital inclination is 17.142° (I'm thinking this number...

Is it basically wrong? It just seems like hand-waving...

Due to diamagnetism in certain substances such as water, does this cause a faster orbital spin due to the change in magnetic dipole moment induced by an external magnet? I'm doing a Science-fair project at the moment and this is eluding me Thank you

Homework Statement A satellite is in circular orbit at an altitude of 1000 km above the surface of a nonrotating planet with n orbital speed of 5.3 km/s. The escape velocity for the planet is 11.3 km/s. In this situation the orbital period of the satellite, in minutes, is...? Homework...

While reading an older article by Schrodinger on Causality a question occurred to me about the nature of energy/time characteristics of light emitted by electron orbital decay. I have been thinking for some time on the relationship/contrasts between generation of lower frequency (ie radio)...

Hey guys. I'm a little confused about calculating the bond order and choosing the correct electron configuration. Compare these two calculations (from my textbook): http://oi44.tinypic.com/2vt8krp.jpg and http://oi39.tinypic.com/sv19hc.jpg As you can see, the electron configuration for...

I know that the sigma 2p bonding orbital could be less/higher in energy than the pi 2p bonding (based on if it is C2,N2,B2 etc), but Why is the sigma 2p antibonding orbital always higher in energy than the pi 2p antibonding one?

Hi guys, I derived an equation for determining orbital period, given an altitude, speed, and mass of the primary and the object orbiting it. I think it makes sense, but I'd welcome anyone who is willing to check it for conceptual error or nonsensical math. Here is the equation: P = \frac{2 \pi...

Hi friends. I'm doing a homework problem about how degenerate orbitals split in the presence of a magnetic field. I understand everything, but I was just had a question about notation. ΔE, the energy between degenerate orbitals in a magnetic field equals μB = (e*hbar/2m)B I was just...

Homework Statement Comet Halley approaches the Sun to within 0.570 AU, and its orbital period is 75.6 years. (AU is the symbol for astronomical unit, where 1 AU = 1.50 x 1011 m is the mean Earth‐Sun distance.) How far from the Sun will Halleyʹs comet travel before it starts its return...