ABSTRACT
In the infinite square well potential, the electrons cannot move more than a distance L/2 from the centre position. This is a simple potential which can be easily described using the Schrödinger equation. A more realistic potential is the Coulomb potential and can be represented:
space
This potential reflects the fact that electrons at higher energy levels are able to occupy more space than those at lower levels. When removed completely from an atom, the electron can occupy any position (i.e., in the diagram above, the zero datum of energy is infinite in the – and + directions) and this is represented by a continuum of states or levels.
