Electrons can orbit the nucleus of an atom in the same way a class of asteroids orbits the sun. The work could allow for new levels of control over chemical reactions. Many people picture atoms as mini solar systems, with point-like electrons circling a central nucleus. But early last century that model was displaced by the fuzzy uncertainties of quantum mechanics. Under quantum rule, you can't know precisely where an electron is at any given time - only where it is likely to be. If you drew a dot at each point where the electron might be, the dots would surround the nucleus in a cloud.
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