Electron configuration

Question 1

what is the formula for the main energy level

Answer 1

2n^2
where n is the number of the energy level so the first energy level holds two electrons the second holds 8

Question 2

do the shapes of the electrons in the s d and p orbitals effect the shape of the molecule

why

Answer 2

yes

they represent a volume of space in which there is a 95% probability of finding an electron

Question 3

what is the max amount of electrons any single atomic orbital can hold

Answer 3

2

Question 4

how many groups do s-orbitals have

Answer 4

just one so there is still only 2 electrons

Question 5

how many groups do p orbitals have

Answer 5

3 (still 2 electrons in each orbital) so in these 3 groups that will carry the same energy there will be 6 electrons in the p orbital

Question 6

how many groups do the d orbitals have

Answer 6

5, each with the 2 electrons in the orbital of the same energy to give 10 in the d-sub level

Question 7

note

Answer 7

in the orbital the electrons are a pair that are of the same negative charge so will try to move as far as possible from one another and this adds to the specific shape of the molecule

Question 8

what is ionisation energy

Answer 8

the energy required to remove 1 mole of electrons from 1 mole of an atom in a gaseous state and is measured in KJmol-1

Question 9

whta happens as a result of atoms being ionised

Answer 9

atoms become positive ions - cations

Question 10

why is the first ionisation energy always the lowest

Answer 10

because it is being removed from a neutral atom - no electrons ahve been removed before

Question 11

why is the second and so on ionisation energies higher than the first

Answer 11

because now you are removing electrons from a positive ion with charge it will now have a greater electrostatic force of attraction to the nucleus - it gains a successive ionisation energy as more electrons are removed because more energy will be required

Question 12

what is the trend of ionisation energies on the periodic table

Answer 12

• increases across a period because of an increase in nuclear charge from the protons and neutrons which will make it more difficult to remove an electron and requires more enrgy
• increases up the group because the electrons are closer to the nucleus so the nuclear force of attraction is stronger

Question 13

explain the decrease in first ionisation nergy between Mg- Al

Answer 13

the p orbital is higher in energy than the s orbital ( it is furtehr away from the nucleus