atomic structure Flashcards
Describe the classic circular orbital description of atoms
It depicts electrons circling the nucleus, which is useful for understanding bonding between atoms, but does not accurately represent the location of electrons or the three-dimensional shapes of molecules.
Define the significance of sodium (Na) in the periodic table
Sodium is element number 11 in the periodic table, indicated by having 11 electrons
How many electrons can the first three shells of an atom accommodate?
The first shell can accommodate 2 electrons, the second shell can hold 8 electrons, and the third shell can hold 18 electrons (8 electrons are all we care about)
Explain the limitations of the classic circular orbital model
While it is useful for understanding atomic bonding, it fails to provide a real indication of electron locations and the three-dimensional shapes of molecules.
How does the shell representation of atoms help in understanding their structure?
It visually represents the arrangement of electrons in different energy levels, indicating how many electrons each shell can hold
Describe the maximum number of electrons that can be contained in Shell 1
Shell 1 can contain up to 2 electrons
Define the term ‘valence shell’ in the context of atomic structure
The valence shell is the outer shell of an atom that contains the electrons involved in chemical bonding.
What is the significance of the periodic table in relation to electron configuration?
The periodic table indicates how many electrons an element has, their arrangement, and the status of the outer shell.
What characteristic do all elements in Group 1 of the periodic table share?
All elements in Group 1 are highly reactive and have a valence shell with a single electron.
Describe the significance of valence electrons in chemical reactivity.
Valence electrons in the outer shell dictate chemical reactivity and the formation of compounds. Filling or emptying this outer valence shell is essential for bond formation between atoms.
Define the Lewis dot symbols and their purpose.
Lewis dot symbols represent the valence electrons of an atom, with each dot corresponding to one electron. They are useful for visualizing how atoms use their valence shells to form bonds.
What does the periodic table represent in terms of atomic structure?
The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number, which corresponds to the number of protons and helps in understanding their electron configurations and chemical properties.
What role do outer shell electrons play in bond formation?
Outer shell electrons are crucial for bond formation as they determine how atoms interact and combine to form compounds.
Describe the stability of atoms in relation to their valence shell.
Atoms are most stable when they have a full valence shell of 8 electrons, or 2 electrons for hydrogen, which has only one inner shell.
Define the Octet Rule in the context of atomic stability
The Octet Rule states that atoms are most stable when they have eight electrons in their valence shell, with exceptions such as phosphorus.
Explain the valency of oxygen and sulfur.
Both oxygen and sulfur have 6 electrons in their valence shell and require 2 additional electrons to complete it, giving them a valency of 2.
What is the significance of valency in chemical bonding?
Valency indicates the number of electrons an atom can gain, lose, or share to achieve a full valence shell, which is crucial for forming bonds and compounds.
Describe covalent bonding
Covalent bonding involves atoms sharing electrons to complete their valence shells.
Explain ionic bonding.
Ionic bonding occurs when atoms gain or lose electrons to form oppositely charged ions.
How is a single covalent bond defined?
A single covalent bond is defined as one shared pair of electrons between two atoms.
What is the valency of oxygen and hydrogen in water?
Oxygen has a valency of 2, while hydrogen has a valency of 1.
Identify the characteristics of noble gases.
Noble gases have full valence shells, are chemically unreactive, and do not form covalent bonds.
How do atoms achieve full valence shells through bonding?
Atoms achieve full valence shells by either sharing electrons in covalent bonds or transferring electrons in ionic bonds.
What is the significance of valence shells in chemical bonding?
Valence shells determine how atoms bond with each other, as atoms seek to complete their outer shells.