Question

consider a thomson model for an atom with 2 electrons. let the electrons be located alone a diameter on opposite sides of the center of the sphere, each a distance x from the center.
(a) Show that the configuration is stable if x = R/2.
(b) try to construct similar stable configurations for atoms with 3,4,5 and 6 electrons.

Answer 1

A thomson model for an atom with 2 electrons.

Consider the electrons be located alone a diameter on opposite sides of the center of the sphere, each a distance x from the center.

To show :
(a) The configuration is stable if x = R/2.
(b) Try to construct similar stable configurations for atoms with 3,4,5 and 6 electrons.

Now,