[ArtemisX]

Hi, I am studying Physical Chemistry and I have a few questions about particular topics.

1) We learned how to find the atomic wave function of hydrogen in class. We're also given a table of 'hydrogen like' atomic wave functions. But I was wondering how do you find the atomic wave function for the Helium atom? Also, how do I find wave functions for first excited states of atoms? Slater determinants seem to only give ground state wave functions...

2) How do I write out molecular electron configurations for diatomic molecules? I know the pattern starts by filling electrons into bonding and anti-bonding orbitals, but what is the order for filling orbitals once you reach the 3s orbital and above?

[juanrga]

Hi, I am studying Physical Chemistry and I have a few questions about particular topics.

1) We learned how to find the atomic wave function of hydrogen in class. We're also given a table of 'hydrogen like' atomic wave functions. But I was wondering how do you find the atomic wave function for the Helium atom? Also, how do I find wave functions for first excited states of atoms? Slater determinants seem to only give ground state wave functions...

Atomic wave functions for the Helium atom and wave functions for first excited states of atoms are found in the same way that the atomic wave function of Hydrogen: solving the Schrödinger equation ##\hat{H} \Psi_j = E_j \Psi_j##

2) How do I write out molecular electron configurations for diatomic molecules? I know the pattern starts by filling electrons into bonding and anti-bonding orbitals, but what is the order for filling orbitals once you reach the 3s orbital and above?

Electrons from the atomic orbitals are assigned molecular orbitals in accordance with the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Next lower energy MOs are filled first, followed by consecutively increasing orbitals.