Which of the following is responsible to rule out the existence of definite paths or trajectories of electrons?

According to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle:



It is impossible to determine the exact position and exact momentum (i.e. velocity because of momentum= mass x velocity) simultaneously of an electron.


o One of its major implication is to rule out the existence of definite paths or trajectories of electrons, because a trajectory or a definite path of an object can be determined only if we know the exact location and the velocity of that object for a certain time being so that we can predict where it will be sometimes after that.


o But in case of sub-atomic particles like electrons, it is not possible to know both at the same time hence this principle had ruled out the idea of Bohr’s orbit or any possibility of a definite trajectory for electrons.


The other 3 options (i) Pauli’s exclusion principle, (iii) Hund’s rule of maximum multiplicity and (iv) Aufbau principle are not applicable in this case.

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