A table of spherical harmonics can be found here. But given that space is isotropic, we have no external fields etc. Nature can't tell the difference, and neither can you when you perform an experiment to measure the "Spherical-ness" of an electron. If you see proof by pictures section, this is clearly not true. Essentially because the Coulomb interaction is isotropic. Physics would have been pretty interesting if a spherically symmetric potential results in a less symmetric wavefunction -- what is there to skew the distribution of electrons?
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Learn more. Why are atom spherical in shape? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 4 months ago. Active 3 years, 7 months ago. Viewed 17k times. So, Why atoms are spherical in shape? Improve this question. Freddy Freddy 4, 8 8 gold badges 37 37 silver badges 66 66 bronze badges.
Add a comment. The electrons are attracted to the nucleus and repel each other. Because the nucleus is so incomprehensibly small, even compared to the size of an atom, it can be thought of as a single point from the perspective of an electron. In the absence of any external influence like an electric or magnetic field, or other nearby atoms a sphere is the only reasonable shape for such a thing to have, because the only interactions are within the atom between the point-like nucleus and the electrons , none of which have any way to define a special direction atoms are isotropic, and spheres are isotropic.
Even orbitals, as mentioned above by Kryptid, are actually spherical in an isolated atom. For the purposes of intuition and making the math easier, we can break the orbitals up into linear combinations of sub-orbitals. Depending on which linear combinations are used, each suborbital can have a shape that is different from spherical, but sum of all of the sub-orbitals will form a spherically symmetric orbital in a lone atom. Once we go to an atom that is interacting with anything else, the assumptions of sphericality all go out the window.
For instance, if we place an atom in a strong electric field, the atom will distort into an ellipsoid elongating along the axis parallel to the electric field lines. Then, once we consider molecules, which have many nuclei at least two , molecular orbitals become the important construct sometimes one can think of this in terms of hybrid atomic orbitals , and these come in all types of shapes none of which are spherical.
Spheres are interesting. For example, is a 'point' spherical? And it is a very special figure of geometry in that you can't define a 'start', nor an 'end' to it. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.
Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Why did Dalton assume that atoms are spherical? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 2 months ago. Active 3 years, 4 months ago. Viewed 1k times. Improve this question. Log in.
Atoms and Atomic Structure. See Answer. Best Answer. Study guides. Q: Why are atoms usually portrayed as spheres when most orbitals are not spherically shaped? Write your answer Related questions. What shape is the outer energy level of hydrogen?
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Pi number can ONLY be used for which shape? What do x y and z refer too in orbitals?
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