We Can Figure This Out.org
Virtual Lab: How Semiconductors and Transistors Work
University of Virginia
             
 
© 2003-Present, John C. Bean
 
With their negative charges, the first two electrons are then attracted to the positive nucleus.

Physicists calculate the exact position of the electrons based on Quantum Mechanics (QM).

The strange laws of QM say that, at this magnification, electrons act more like clouds than small solid balls.

These first two electrons form spherical clouds around the nucleus that physicists label "1s orbitals" (shown here in blue).

 
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