What does it mean to say the future path of an electron is indeterminate?

Indeterminate means not exactly known, established or defined. Let’s say we repeatedly throw an electron from the same position with the same velocity and direction. A base-ball’s future path is determined by its position and velocity when it leaves the pitcher’s hand.

Why is it impossible to know the exact location of electrons in an atom?

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that the exact position and momentum of an electron cannot be simultaneously determined. This is because electrons simply don’t have a definite position, and direction of motion, at the same time! We know the direction of motion.

What is the position of a electron in an atom?

Electrons are the smallest of the three particles that make up atoms. Electrons are found in shells or orbitals that surround the nucleus of an atom. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus. They group together in the center of the atom.

Why is it impossible to determine accurately both position and velocity of an electron at any instance?

Since you can only “see” electrons with super high energy light, the “seeing” process actually changes the momentum of the electron and sends it flying. So you can’t know both position and momentum with accuracy.

Why do electrons only occupy certain orbits?

The certain amount of electrons in any orbital in an atom is at most 2, and the reason (or the explanation) is what is known as the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which says that any two or more fermions (half integer spin particles) in a quantum system cannot have the exact same quantum state (aka. four quantum numbers).

Is the position of the electron is measured with an accuracy of?

If the position of the electron is measured within an accuracy of +- 0.002 nm.

Is path of electron well defined?

The path of an electron in an atom is not clearly defined because its position cannot be measured with absolute accuracy.