What is an electron cloud of an atom?
Non-relativistic quantum mechanics is based on the uncertainty principle. We no longer talk in terms of trajectories of particles, but only calculate probabilities of existence of a particle in a given volume. The probability of existence of an electron around an atom is calculated using the Schrodinger equation. Electron cloud model emerged out of the solution of the Schrodinger equation for the Hydrogen atom. The Schrodinger electron cloud model predicts clouds of probability around the atom, which we now call ‘atomic orbitals’. Instead of a clear orbit, the electron is spread around the atom in clouds of probability. Every electron is known to have certain ‘quantum numbers’ and it populates only certain regions of space around the atom, according to its energy level. Every electron is spread out in a probability cloud in space. The electron cloud atomic model is the archetype, that has now replaced the solar system like model propounded by Neils Bohr for the atomic structure of an a
