Electrons, atom, nucleus
How do ultrafast electrons create solid bonds?
Electrons in atoms are estimated to travel at thousands of kilometers per second in a hydrogen atom.
Electrons are ultrafast
In the first module of this course, I describe the speed of various objects and how that relates to their size. An electron's speed within a defined energy shell gives it a new reality.
Parking in two places between the two nuclei
When electrons form a bond - say, a sigma (σ) bond - they are still traveling ultrafast. However, there are positions that they frequent much more often than others. Because those positions are visited more often, it gives us the impression that the electrons are parked in those positions. I call those "electron bench points", as it seems as if the electrons like to rest there.
The second module explains how the electrons seem to "live" in some positions more than others as they choose lower energy travel paths around the nuclei.
Spending more time between the two nuclei
Not only do electrons frequent bench points more often than other places around the atom, they find some bench points more convenient to get to than others. That is, not all electron bench points are created equal.
The third module explains how electrons spend more time in some bench points than others. The net effect of having favorite positions is that electrons are more likely to be found - and for longer time intervals - in the space between the two atoms (the inter-nodal space).
A very strong hydrogen bond
The net result of all the factors listed above is that the two electrons create a cylindrical symmetry and a very strong bond that holds two hydrogen atoms together.
Picture credits:
- By alexfan32. Shutterstock ID: 1594438201. Two protons and two electrons of H2 - Molecular Hydrogen in vector.
- By Christoph Burgstedt. Atom with nucleus, atomic shell and orbiting electrons in monochromatic blue, ID: 355876655.