描画ソフトウェアとアルミニウム製模型を用いた2p軌道電子密度の三次元表示

概要

論文の詳細を見る
The most important and fundamental electronic orbitals are the s- and p-orbitals in the electron configuration of the outermost shell. In most general chemistry textbooks for high schools and colleges of technology in Japan, the true shape of the s-orbital is shown as the spherical contour line of the wave function, while that of the p-orbital is not drawn and only the polar plots are illustrated instead. This confuses most students about why the inert gas structure is stable, why hybrid orbitals are formed, etc. In this paper, to make free from this confusion, we try to show the true shape of the p-orbital and to prepare the true shape model. Firstly, the true shape of the 2px-orbital is drawn on the xy plane as the contour line which its wave function is equal to 1×10-2. The true shape of the electron cloud of inert gas is also indicated on the xy plane by drawing the true shape of the 2px-orbital together with those of the 2py- and 2s- orbitals. Secondly, the true shape of the 2px-orbital is also illustrated using three-dimensional graphical drawing software. The illustration can be seen from a different angle. Finally, using a numerically controlled (NC) lathe, we prepare the aluminum model showing true shape of the 2px-orbital. Judging from questionnaires completed by students, this drawing and aluminum models enable students to realize the true shapes of p-orbital and the electron cloud of inert gas.