How is an electron related to an electron cloud
An electron cloud actually specifies a probability that an electron will be found within the confines of the cloud. It doesn't specifiy an exact location of an electron (or a group of electrons).
An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge. It is one of the fundamental particles that make up atoms. On the other hand, an electron cloud refers to the area surrounding an atomic nucleus where electrons are most likely to be found.
To understand how an electron is related to an electron cloud, we need to explore the concept of electron configuration. Electrons in an atom occupy specific energy levels or electron shells. These shells are further divided into subshells, which are composed of orbitals. Each orbital can hold up to two electrons.
The distribution of electrons within an atom's electron shells and orbitals can be determined by using the periodic table and a set of rules known as the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. These rules determine the order in which electrons fill up the orbitals.
The electron cloud is a visual representation of the probability distribution of electrons around the nucleus. It is often depicted as a fuzzy, three-dimensional region with varying electron density. The probability of finding an electron within a specific region of the cloud is related to its energy level and orbital characteristics.
In summary, an electron is an individual particle with a negative charge, whereas an electron cloud refers to the overall distribution of electrons around an atomic nucleus. The electron cloud represents the probability of finding an electron within a specific region, based on its energy level and orbital properties.