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A Procedure to Obtain the Effective Nuclear Charge from the Atomic Spectrum of Sodium

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O. Sala , Koiti Araki and L. K. Noda

Universidade de Sao Paulo, Instituto de Química, Caixa Postal 26077, 05599-970 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (9), p 1269

DOI: 10.1021/ed076p1269

Publication Date (Web): September 1, 1999

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

The penetration of the valence electron orbitals of the alkali metals into their inner shells and its effect on the energy levels can be considered through two methods that take into account modifications of the hydrogen formula (one-electron system). One of them considers the quantum defect, modifying the quantum number n; the other considers the effective nuclear charge Z* replacing the nuclear charge Z. The method using the quantum defect is widely used because this quantity is practically constant for a given angular momentum quantum number l. However, the method using effective nuclear charge is more realistic because it explains many atomic and molecular properties - but the effective nuclear charge depends on l as well as on the principal quantum number n. This article describes a relatively simple graphical procedure to calculate the effective nuclear charges experienced by the sodium valence electron from its atomic spectrum. A relation of Z* with n for a given l is obtained and the Z* values for all states of the valence electron are found; the energy terms can also be determined. The calculations can be performed by using common spreadsheet software.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Atomic Properties / Structure

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Modern Developments in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Samuel A. Abrash
2007 973 (), 115-151
- Modern Developments in the Physical Chemistry Laboratory
  Samuel A. Abrash
  2007 973 (), 115-151
  Developments in the physical chemistry laboratory since the publication of the germinal text by Schwenz and Moore (1) are categorized and reviewed. The categories examined include modern instrumentation, current topics in chemistry, integrated ...
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