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Jonathan Goorbarry

Discussion Questions
1. The 2 graphs line up with each other which show that our data follows
that of a 1-s radial distribution graph. Both the macaroni graph and the
1-s graph both have an orbital peak at the same spot and both
decrease after the peak.
2. The exact spot would not be able to be precisely determined since the
data varies and would not consistently land on the same spot.
3. It would be possible to determine the general location using the data
that has already been acquired along with Schrodingers wave. If the
consistency of the data is correct then using the wave one could
calculate the general area of the macaronis landing spot.
4. The answers are analogous since the electron probability in a hydrogen
atom could be located and figured out by using the data and
Schrodingers wave.
5. The macaroni would never be found at the coordinates of (0, 0) or the
center of the page just like the hydrogen atom would never be found in
the nucleus or center.
6. The radius of the maximum probability was when the radius was 7 cm.
It is known that this had the maximum since it had the largest
marks/cm2 of 0.12. This may not be the same as other groups as there
are some experimental errors that couldve occurred, mainly human
errors and calculations.
7. An orbital is an electron cloud that has an energy state described by
the values of the n, l and ml quantum numbers. An orbital can contain
2 electrons with paired spins and is often associated with a specific
region of an atom. S-orbitals are non-directional since they have

Jonathan Goorbarry

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spherical symmetry. This means that the probability of finding an

electron at a particular distance from the nucleus is same in all
directions.
8. The results were non-directional. The direction in which the macaroni
would bounce were random in nature and showed no evidence of a
pattern.
9. There are 3 p-orbitals per level in the levels of n=2 and up. The 2
definite directional characteristics are on the x and y axis and on the z
axis.
10.
The results would be that there would be a higher probability of
any piece of the dropped macaroni being found within the center of
either one of the p-orbital lobes, rather than clo0ser to the outer rings.
It would be similar to the probability graph of an s-orbital, but macaroni
could not be found in the nucleus or within both lobes at the same
time.
11.
N=3, L=1, M=1, M=1/2. This electron is found within the 2p
orbital, which has the dumbbell shape, primarily based on the z axis.
This electron would share this orbital with another electron, but would
have a negative spin.