How does the concept of 'orbiting' electrons relate to the overall size and volume of an atom?
ChemistryClass 11CBSEAnswered 18 May 2026
Answer
The 'orbiting' electrons occupy a vast region of space around the nucleus, defining the overall size and volume of the atom. The nucleus itself is extremely small in comparison.
Despite the nucleus containing almost all the mass, the electrons, due to their rapid motion and the probabilistic nature of their location, determine the atomic radius and, consequently, the atom's volume. The atom is mostly empty space.
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