Core electrons Covalent compounds

Equation (10) shows that the isomer shift IS is a direct measure of the total electronic density at the probe nucleus. This density derives almost exclusively from 5-type orbitals, which have non-zero electron densities at the nucleus. Band electrons, which have non-zero occurrence probabilities at the nucleus and 5-type conduction electrons in metals may also contribute, but to a lesser extent. Figure 3 shows the linear correlation that is observed between the experimental values of Sb Mossbauer isomer shift and the calculated values of the valence electron density at the nucleus p (0). The total electron density at the nucleus p C ) (Eq. 10) is the sum of the valence electron density p (0) and the core electron density p (0), which is assumed to be constant. This density is not only determined by the 5-electrons themselves but also by the screening by other outer electrons p-, d-, or /-electrons) and consequently by the ionicity or covalency and length of the chemical bonds. IS is thus a probe of the formal oxidation state of the isotope under investigation and of the crystal field around it (high- and low-spin Fe may be differentiated). The variation of IS with temperature can be used to determine the Debye temperature of a compound (see Eq. (13)). 

Earlier we saw that the high density of metals—much higher than that of covalently bonded compounds—suggested that their structure is a tightly packed lattice of ion cores. And the electrons that swim freely through the lattice—the other central characteristic of the metallic bond—make metals excellent conductors of... 

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