Comparing Orbitals of H and He+

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In summary, both H and He+ atoms have a nucleus and single electron, making He+ Hydrogen-like. According to the Bohr Model, the electron in He+ orbits the nucleus in discrete orbits, similar to the electron in a Hydrogen atom. However, due to the extra positive charge in He+, the electron's orbital may have different energy levels. Calculating these energy levels may be affected by the increased attraction towards the nucleus caused by the additional protons in He+.
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rburt
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Homework Statement


Both H and He+ atoms contain a nucleus and a single electron. Therefore He+ is often referred to as Hydrogen-like. According to the Bohr Model, the electron in He+ should orbit the nucleus in discrete orbits, much like the electron in the Hydrogen atom orbits its nucleus. How will the electron's orbital of He+ differ from the elctron's orbits of a H atom?


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The Attempt at a Solution

I don't see how their orbits will be different because they are both found within a 1s orbital which are spherical. Would they have different levels of energy? If so how could you go about figuring this?
 
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I'm not sure about calculating energy levels, but if you consider the amount of protons in a He+ atom versus a H atom, there are twice as many. This extra positive charge should cause a greater attraction inward on the proton. I think this change will also change the energy levels but can't help you with the calculations.
 

Related to Comparing Orbitals of H and He+

1. What is the difference between the orbitals of hydrogen and helium?

The main difference between the orbitals of hydrogen and helium is the number of electrons. Hydrogen has one electron, while helium has two electrons. This difference leads to variations in their electron configuration and orbital shapes.

2. Do hydrogen and helium have the same energy levels?

No, hydrogen and helium have different energy levels. Hydrogen has only one electron, so it has only one energy level. Helium, on the other hand, has two electrons, which occupy different energy levels according to the Aufbau principle.

3. Which orbital is higher in energy: H or He+?

The orbital of He+ is higher in energy compared to hydrogen. This is because helium has one less electron, which results in a stronger nuclear attraction and higher energy for its remaining electron.

4. Can hydrogen and helium have the same orbital shape?

Yes, hydrogen and helium can have the same orbital shape. For example, the 1s orbital of hydrogen and the 1s orbital of helium both have a spherical shape. However, the number of electrons and energy levels will still be different.

5. How do the orbitals of H and He+ contribute to their chemical properties?

The orbitals of H and He+ play a crucial role in determining their chemical properties. Hydrogen's single electron in the 1s orbital makes it highly reactive, while helium's full 1s orbital makes it chemically inert. He+ (helium ion) has a higher ionization energy compared to H (hydrogen atom) due to its stronger nuclear charge, making it less likely to participate in chemical reactions.

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