Hund's rules: Difference between revisions
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==LS coupling== | ==LS coupling== | ||
A group of atomic energy levels, obtained by [[Russell-Saunders coupling]], is concisely indicated by a [[term symbol]]. As discussed in the article [[Russell-Saunders coupling]], closed shells and closed subshells have ''L'' = ''S'' = 0 and hence can be ignored in the coupling. A ''term'' (also known as ''multiplet'') is a set of simultaneous eigenfunctions of '''L'''<sup>2</sup> (total orbital angular momentum squared) and '''S'''<sup>2</sup> (total spin angular momentum squared) with given quantum numbers ''L'' and ''S'', respectively. | A group of atomic energy levels, obtained by [[Russell-Saunders coupling]], is concisely indicated by a [[term symbol]]. As discussed in the article [[Russell-Saunders coupling]], closed shells and closed subshells have ''L'' = ''S'' = 0 and hence can be ignored in the coupling. A ''term'' (also known as ''multiplet'') is a set of simultaneous eigenfunctions of '''L'''<sup>2</sup> (total orbital angular momentum squared) and '''S'''<sup>2</sup> (total spin angular momentum squared) with given quantum numbers ''L'' and ''S'', respectively. That is, the respective eigenvalues are ''L(L+1)''ℏ<sup>2</sup> | ||
and ''S(S+1)''ℏ<sup>2</sup>. | |||
If there is no spin-orbit coupling, the functions of one term (fixed ''L'' and ''S'') are degenerate (have the same energy). If there is weak spin-orbit coupling it is useful to diagonalize the matrix of the corresponding spin-orbit operator within the '' | If there is no spin-orbit coupling, the functions of one term (fixed ''L'' and ''S'') are (2''L''+1)×(2''S''+1)-fold degenerate (have the same energy). If there is weak spin-orbit coupling it is useful to diagonalize the matrix of the corresponding spin-orbit operator within the ''L-S'' basis [consisting of the (2''L''+1)×(2''S''+1) functions of the term] in the spirit of first-order [[perturbation theory]]. This lifts partially the degeneracy and introduces the new conserved quantum number ''J'', with |''L''-''S''| ≤ ''J'' ≤ ''L''+''S'', that labels a (2''J''+1)-fold degenerate energy level. | ||
[[Image:Carbon levels.png|right|thumb|350px|Level scheme of the [[carbon]] atom <math>\scriptstyle (1s)^2(2s)^2(2p)^2</math>. Drawing is not on scale. On the left the energy | [[Image:Carbon levels.png|right|thumb|350px|Level scheme of the [[carbon]] atom <math>\scriptstyle (1s)^2(2s)^2(2p)^2</math>. Drawing is not on scale. On the left the energy | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references />[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:00, 30 August 2024
In atomic spectroscopy, Hund's rules predict the order of atomic energy levels with quantum numbers L (orbital), S (spin) and J (orbital plus spin). The rules are called after Friedrich Hund who formulated them in 1925.[1]
LS coupling
A group of atomic energy levels, obtained by Russell-Saunders coupling, is concisely indicated by a term symbol. As discussed in the article Russell-Saunders coupling, closed shells and closed subshells have L = S = 0 and hence can be ignored in the coupling. A term (also known as multiplet) is a set of simultaneous eigenfunctions of L2 (total orbital angular momentum squared) and S2 (total spin angular momentum squared) with given quantum numbers L and S, respectively. That is, the respective eigenvalues are L(L+1)ℏ2 and S(S+1)ℏ2.
If there is no spin-orbit coupling, the functions of one term (fixed L and S) are (2L+1)×(2S+1)-fold degenerate (have the same energy). If there is weak spin-orbit coupling it is useful to diagonalize the matrix of the corresponding spin-orbit operator within the L-S basis [consisting of the (2L+1)×(2S+1) functions of the term] in the spirit of first-order perturbation theory. This lifts partially the degeneracy and introduces the new conserved quantum number J, with |L-S| ≤ J ≤ L+S, that labels a (2J+1)-fold degenerate energy level.
Formulation of the rules
Hund's rules are:[2]
- Of the Russell-Saunders states arising from a given electron configuration those with the largest spin quantum number S lie lowest, those with the next largest next, and so on; in other words, the states with largest spin multiplicity are the most stable.
- Of the group of terms with a given value of S, that with the largest value of L lies lowest.
- Of the states with given values of S and L in an electronic configuration consisting of less than half the electrons in a closed subshell, the state with the smallest value of J is usually the most stable, and for a configuration consisting of more than half the electrons in a closed subshell the state with largest J is the most stable.
The levels of the second sort, largest J most stable, can be seen as arising from holes in a closed subshell.
Examples
- The ground state carbon atom, (1s)2(2s)2(2p)2, gives by Russell-Saunders coupling a set of energy levels labeled by term symbols. Hund's rules predict the following order of the energies:
- The ground state oxygen atom, (1s)2(2s)2(2p)4, (a two-hole state) gives by Russell-Saunders coupling a set of energy levels labeled by term symbols. Hund's rules predict the following order of the energies:
References
- ↑ F. Hund, Zur Deutung verwickelter Spektren, insbesondere der Elemente Scandium bis Nickel. [On the interpretation of complicated spectra, in particular the elements scandium through nickel]. Zeitschrift für Physik, vol. 33, pp. 345-371 (1925).
- ↑ L. Pauling, The Nature of the Chemical Bond, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 3rd edition (1960)