2.2.1 Electron Structure

Question 1

describe electron structure

Answer 1

electrons occupy different levels around an atom each energy level is made up of subshells and each subshell contains orbitals

Question 2

define orbital

Answer 2

An orbital is an area of space in an atom which can hold up to 2 electrons with opposite spin.

Question 3

what are the types of subshells

list

Answer 3

subshells are labelled s,p,d,f depending on the type of obrital they contain.

Question 4

describe the s-orbital

Answer 4

• spherical shape
• an s-subshell contains only one s-orbital
• which can hold up to 2 electrons

Question 5

describe the p-orbital

Answer 5

• dumbell shape (figure of eight/ bone)
• a p-subshell contains 3 p-orbitals
• that can hold up to 6 electrons (2 each)

the alternative shape names in brakets are for visual help not valid answers.

Question 6

describe the d-orbitals

Answer 6

• a d-subshell contains 5 d-orbitals
• that can hold up to 10 electrons (2 each)

Question 7

describe the f-orbitals

Answer 7

• an f-subshell contains 7 f-orbitals
• that can hold up to 14 electrons (2 each)

Question 8

what does the first energy level (shell) contain

Answer 8

• an s-subshell → an s-orbital → 2 e-

Question 9

what does the second energy level (shell) contain

Answer 9

• an s-subshell and a p-subshell
  → an s-orbital and 3 p-orbitals
  → 8e-

Question 10

what does the third energy level (shell) contain

Answer 10

• an s-subshell, a p-subshell and a d-subshell
  → an s-orbital, 3 p-orbitals and 5 d-orbitals
  →18e-

Question 11

what does the fourth energy level (shell) contain

Answer 11

• an s-subshell, a p-subshell, a d-subshell and an f-subshell
  → an s-orbital, 3 p-orbitals, 5 d-orbitals and 7 f-orbitals
  → 32e-

Question 12

what is the order for electron configuration

Answer 12

• 1s
• 2s 2p
• 3s 3p 3d
• 4s 4p 4d 4f
• 5s 5p 5d 5f
• 6s 6p 6d df

arrows go diagonally eg.

1s,
2s,
2p→3s,
3p→4s,
3d→4p→5s

Question 13

what is the rule with 4s

Answer 13

fill and empty 4s before 3d

Question 14

what are the rules for filling orbitals with electrons

Answer 14

1. Electrons fill the orbitals from the lowest energy level to the highest.
2. When electrons occupy the same orbital they have opposite spin (↑↓)
3. Electrons occupy orbitals at the same energy individually before pairing.

Question 15

what are the notations used to display electron configurations

Answer 15

• electron configuration
  eg. sodium = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
• noble gas configuration
  eg. Nickle = [Ar] 4s2 3d8
• electon-in-a-box diagram
  eg. uses ↑ and ↓ in boxes to represent electrons.