Atomic theory 5 Flashcards
Write the electron configuration (s. p etc) for an iron atom.
1s₂ 2s₂ 2p₆ 3s₂ 3p₆
What term is used to refer to the condition of the hydrogen atom when its electron occupies the E1 level?
Ground state
What term is used for the condition of the hydrogen atom when its electron occupies any of the levels E2, E3 etc?
Excited state
What causes the electron to leave the E1 level?
- It acquires energy
- It is heated
Why does the electron not remain in any of the levels E2, E3 etc?
Higher energy states unstable
The visible lines in the atomic emission spectrum of a sample of hydrogen are produced when electrons fall to a particular energy level. Identify this energy level.
E₂ / n = 2
Bohr’s theory considered electrons as tiny particles restricted to orbits. How does modern atomic theory describe the behaviour of electrons?
Electrons have both wave and particle properties.
What are orbitals?
An atomic orbital is a region in space around the nucleus of an atom in which there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Identify the main energy levels involved in the electron transition that gives rise to the first (red) line of the Balmer series in the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom.
2 and 3
Define an atomic orbital.
An atomic orbital is a region in space around the nucleus of an atom in which there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Write the ground state s, electron configuration for a carbon atom. How many orbitals are occupied?
1s₂ 2s₂ 2p₂
4 orbitals occupied
Distinguish between the ground state and the excited states of the electron in a hydrogen atom.
Ground - n = 1
Excited - n = 2,3
How can the electron in a hydrogen atom become excited?
Add heat
Explain the origin of the series of visible lines in the emission spectrum of hydrogen. What name is given to this series?
- Excited electrons fall back from n = 3,4 to n = 2, the energy lost is emitted as light of different frequencies.
- Balmer series
Explain why there is no yellow line in the hydrogen emission spectrum.
No corresponding excited state
Describe how to carry out a flame test to confirm the presence of lithium in a salt sample.
Clean a platinum (nichrome) wire in concentrated hydrochloric acid
Dip rod in salt and hold salt in hot part of Bunsen flame
Red crimson colour is a positive result for lithium
Define an atomic orbital.
An atomic orbital is a region in space around the nucleus of an atom in which there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Distinguish between a 2p orbital and a 2p sublevel.
2p sublevel consists of three 2p orbitals of equal energy
Write the s, p electron configuration for a calcium atom.
1s₂ 2s₂ 2p₆ 3s₂ 3p₆ 4s₂
Explain in terms of energy sublevels why the arrangement of electrons I the main energy levels in a calcium atoms is 2, 8, 8, 2 and not 2, 8, 10.
- 4s sublevel lower in energy than the 3d
- Electrons fill the 4s sublevel before the 3d
Explain how the line emission spectrum of hydrogen arises and provides evidence for the existence of energy levels.
- In the ground state the hydrogen electron occupies the lowest available energy level.
- The electron can jump to a higher energy level if it recieves a certain amount of energy
- Excited state unstable
Evidence - Energy emitted corresponds to difference between the two energy levels.
Suggest an element that gives a blue-green colour to a fireworks display.
Copper
Write the s, p configuration of a calcium atom in its ground state.
1s₂ 2s₂ 2p₆ 3s₂ 3p₆ 4s₂
Give one significant difference between an electron in the 2s orbital and an electron in the 3s orbital of a calcium atom.
- Energy of 2s electron is less than 3s
State the famous principle published in 1927, which bears the name Werner Heisenberg.
Position and momentum of an electron cannot be found simultaneously.
Name the scientist whose work on energy levels in the hydrogen atom is depicted in the Google doodle reproduced above.
Bohr
Distinguish between the terms energy level and atomic orbital.
Energy level - Is the discrete amount of enegry an electron has when it is in an atom.
An atomic orbital - is a region in space around the nucleus of an atom in which there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Write the electron configuration (s, p) of an atom of silicon showing the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals in the ground state.
1s₂ 2s₂ 2p₆ 3s₂ 3p₂
Distribution on marking scheme (2014)
State how many (i) main energy levels, (ii) atomic orbitals are occupied in the silicon atom in its ground state.
(i) 3
(ii) 8
Use Bohr’s atomic theory of 1913 to account for the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom.
- The electron in a hydrogen atom occupies fixed energy levels.
- In the ground state electrons occupy the lowest available energy levels.
- The electron can move to a higher energy level if it receives a certain amount of heat
- Excited state unstable
- Emitting excess energy in the form of a photon of light
Explain in terms of atomic structure, why different flame colours are observed in flame tests using salts of different metals.
Metal atoms of different elements have different sets of energy levels therefore they emit different frequencies.
What colour is observed in a flame test on lithium chloride?
Red
Describe the testing procedure in a flame test on lithium chloride.
- Salt on platinum probe
- Hold in at top of flame
Explain the term uncertainty principle.
This states that it is impossible to know both the position and the speed of an electron at the same time as electrons move in a wave motion.