Ψ -co

Checking into the Atoms’ Motel

By

George M. McKelvy, PhD

Introduction:
Over the course of several years, I have tried to find an appropriate analogy which
would describe the way in which the electrons occupy their respective positions in an
atom. I tried various methods – from straight physical/chemical descriptions to parking
garage analogies – and still never seemed to get the point across or lost student interest at
the first mention that “each energy level contains the same number of sublevels as the
number of the principle level.” I saw that a different approach was warranted. Thus, the
“Atoms’ Motel” was designed and ‘built.’

The Motel:
Deep in the depths of the atomic realm, there exists a haven for the wayward and
weary electron traveler: the Atoms’ Motel. It is not a plush resort, but very serviceable,
discrete, and distinctively stylish. It has a lobby containing the check-in desk, a very
attractive German restaurant, and an electronic game room. There is no pool; electrons
can get shorted out when in water. Electrons occupy the motel with great frequency and
will take quantum leaps to get there.
Above the ground level lobby, there are seven levels of rooms, each having its
own style and décor. The first level, for example, has only one room, a suite with only
one double bed. It is the first priority for traveling electrons due to its nearness to the
ground level and its ample amenities. If fact, lower level rooms are extremely popular to
electrons; they want to expend the least amount of energy necessary to get to their rooms,
and, by the way, they are not at all bashful about sharing their accommodations with
fellow electrons in order to occupy these key locations.
The second level has a total of two rooms – one suite with one double bed and
one party room with three (3) double beds. The third level differs from the second in that
it consists of three rooms – a suite with one double bed, a party room with three double
beds, and, in addition, one dormitory room with five (5) double beds. Odd, is it not? The
third floor suite is just ever so slightly further from the ground level than the previous
level’s party room.
When electrons get to the fourth level, things change a bit more. There is the one
suite with one double bed, one party room with three double beds, one dorm room with
five double beds, and, now, an additional faraway room with seven (7) double beds.
Odder still! On level four, the suite is slightly farther from the ground level than the third
level party room, but closer than the dorm room and its five beds.
The fifth level is exactly like the fourth, but some day, hopefully, there will be
enough electron demand to add a fifth room with nine (9) double beds to level five. Gee!
Since the motel is still under construction, the sixth and seventh levels have only a
few rooms completed. The sixth has only the suite, party, and dorm rooms complete,
while the seventh level has only the suite.

Registration:
When a traveling electron arrives at the motel, it must check in at the front desk
and register with Norman Atom. Norman will assign the electron to a bed which is
available and as near as possible to the lobby on the ground level. The following
procedure will be carried out as long as there are electrons to check in and beds to put
them: assignment to the nearest room, one electron to a bed until the room is filled with
two electrons to a bed. (Did you remember that every room is equipped with DOUBLE
beds?) It should be noted at this point that electrons snore. It is for this reason that when
electrons share a double bed, they must sleep at opposite ends (that is, head to foot) so as
not to snore and startle the other out of bed. Snoring is repulsive, and electrons are not
attracted to each other as it is.

Arrival:
Let’s suppose a Chromium tour bus arrives and allows Norman to register its
electrons. The first electron to check in at the motel will get the first level suite and a
double bed all to itself. As the second electron is checked in, it will be assigned to the
same room, Suite One, and the other side of the double bed. As a third and then fourth
electron register, Norman will assign them to the second level suite since Suite One is
filled with two electrons.
As more and more electrons check in, they will be assigned to available rooms as
near the ground level as possible. First to the party room on the second level – the first
level suite and the second level suite are full. Now, since there are three double beds in
Party Room Two, the first electron will get its choice of beds, while the next gets its
choice of the two remaining beds, and the third gets the last bed. Please realize that while
electrons do not mind sharing, they will occupy an empty bed if it is available.
When the eighth electron checks in, it finds that Suite One is full, Suite Two is
full, and Party Room Two has one electron in each bed. It must, therefore, either double
up with one of the electrons (sleeping at the opposite end, of course) or expend the extra
and unnecessary energy to go to a higher level. It will share; as will the ninth and tenth
electrons to check in.
As more and more electrons check in, Norman will assign them rooms in the
following manner since Level One and Level Two are full: two electrons to Suite Three,
then six to Party Room Three (one to a bed and then doubling up, remember). When
Suite One, Suite Two, Party Room Two, Suite Three, and Party Room Three are all filled,
and option is available: either start occupying the dorm room with its seven double beds
or go to the fourth level and use the suite. After all, electrons want to get as close to the
ground level lobby as possible and Suite Four is closer than the dorm room on level three.
A similar variance from the expected pattern assignments occurs when Party
Room Four fills after Dorm Room Three, Dorm Room Four after Suite Five, etc. This is
due to the construction of the motel and the fact that the suites are nearer the ground level
lobby, and it takes more energy to go back (and up) to the dorm and faraway rooms. The
filling of rooms follows a diagonal pattern.

Exceptions:
There are, of course, exceptions to this order of assignment. After all, nothing can
be this easy and clear cut, now, can it? Once the diagonal pattern has been established,
however, the exceptions can seem logical. For example, suppose the fourth level suite
has its two electrons but there is an empty bed in the dorm room of level three. Since
being in Dorm Room Three takes only slightly more energy and an electron can have a
bed to itself, the arrangement of electrons will change to provide two half filled rooms.

Stability:
In regard to the exceptions to the rule, the motel management’s (and Norman’s)
mental, emotional, fiscal, and physical well-being (stability) is dependent upon how well
the available accommodations are filled. It would be ideal to have each room full. If that
is not possible, making them half-full is the next best arrangement, or, barring that,
putting electrons in pairs so as to keep each other company. This stability will have a lot
to do with arrangements of rooms which are on the upper levels and a long way from the
lobby.

Acknowledgements:
As with the dedication of any new edifice, certain persons must be acknowledged
for their efforts in and toward this endeavor: Thanks goes to Max Planck, “you were the
one true constant throughout the entire process;” to Neils Bohr, “drop in again anytime
you are in this specific area;” to Louis de Broglie, “catch the wave, Louis, dude.”
Thanks should also go to Werner Heisenberg, “where are you Werner? …
Werner? …” Oh well, I thought he was here a while ago. To Erwin Schröginer, “since
there is no physical meaning for Ψ , Erwin, there’s no point in this thanks, but note that
no animals were injured during the filming;” and to Max Born, “in all probability, Max,
you deserve the thanks intended for Erwin.”
However, apologies should go to Alfred Hitchcock, Anthony Perkins, and the cast
of the movie whose name was twisted to build this motel: “Sorry for the change Mr.,
Hitchcock, but the opportunity was there and my mother said I should take a stab at it.”