Electrons, Bonding and Structure Flashcards
What is the principal quantum number?
- The principal quantum number, n, indicates the electron shell/energy level that the electrons occupy.
- Different shells have different principal quantum numbers.
- The larger the value of n, the further the shell is from the nucleus and the higher the energy level.
The first four shells hold a different number of electrons - what are they?
- First Shell - 2
- Second Shell - 8
- Third Shell - 18
- Fourth Shell - 32
Each shell holds up to 2n² electrons, where n is the prinicipal quantum number
I dont understand why its not 8 rather than 18, because the outershell should have 8 electrons right?. Elements react to ge 8 electrons in outer shell.
Define electron shell?
An electron shell is a group of atomic orbitals with the same principal quantum number, n.
In the past, scientists believed that electrons orbit the nucleus, but electrons are not solid particles and thus this planetary model has been replaced. What are electrons now believed to exist in?
Electrons exist in atomic orbitals.
Each electron shell contains a group r of atomic orbitals. Each atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins,
Define orbital.
An orbital is a region of space where electrons may be found.
What are the different types of orbitals?
There are four different types of orbitals - s orbital, p orbital, d orbital, f orbital and each has a different shape (you don’t need to know about the f orbital in detail)
Describe (and draw) the shape of an s-orbital.
An s-orbital has a spherical shape.
How many s-orbitals are in each shell and what is the max number of s-orbital electrons found in each shell?
From the first shell (n = 1) upwards, each shell contains one s-orbital.
This means that there is a maximum of 2 s-orbital electrons in each shell from the first shell upwards.
Describe (and draw) the shape of a p-orbital.
A p-orbital has a 3D dumb-bell shape.
How many p-orbitals are in each shell and what is the max number of p-orbital electrons found in each shell?
From the second shell (n = 2) upwards, each shell contains three p-orbitals (px, py, pz) at right angles to one another (different planes)
This means that there are a maximum of 6 p-orbital electrons in each shell from the second shell upwards.
Structures for d-orbital and f-orbital are complex - do not need to learn them.
How many d-orbitals are in each shell, and what is the max number of d-orbital electrons found in each shell?
From the third shell (n = 3) upwards, each shell contains five d-orbitals.
This means that there is a maximum of 10 d-orbital electrons in each shell from the third shell upwards
How many f-orbitals are in each shell, and what is the max number of f-orbital electrons found in each shell?
From the fourth shell (n = 4) upwards, each shell contains seven f-orbitals.
This means that there is a maximum number of 14 f-orbital electrons in each shell from the fourth shell upwards
Summary: State the max number of each type of orbital in the fourth shell, and the maximum number of electrons in each type of orbital.
1 s-orbital - 2 s-orbital electrons
3 p-orbitals - 6 p-orbital electrons
5 d-orbitals - 10 d-orbital electrons
7 f-orbitals - 14 f-orbital electrons
How are electrons in orbitals represented?
Using box diagrams where each box represents a single orbital that can hold a maximum of two electrons.
Why do the two electrons in an orbital not repel each other?
- Whilst both are negatively charged, electrons do not repel each other, because they have an additional property called spin.
- The two electrons in an orbital must have opposite spins and we represent that using arrows, either ‘up’ or ‘down’.
What are sub-shells?
- An electron shell/energy level is a group of atomic orbitals with the same principal quantum number.
- Within each shell, orbitals of the same type can be further categorised into sub-shells.
- There are s, p, d and f sub-shells.
What are the sub shells found at n = 1?
Draw the orbitals (represented as squares) at n = 1?
What are the max number of electrons in the first shell?
Sub-shell: 1s
Orbital: ☐
Electrons: 2 (Max number of electrons at n = 1 is 2)
What are the sub shells found at n = 2?
Draw the orbitals (represented as squares) at n = 2?
What are the max number of electrons in the second shell?
Sub-shell: 2s 2p
Orbital: ☐ ☐☐☐
Electrons: 2 222 (Max number of electrons at n = 2 is 8)
What are the sub shells found at n = 3?
Draw the orbitals (represented as squares) at n = 3?
What are the max number of electrons in the third shell?
Sub-shell: 3s 3p 3d
Orbital: ☐ ☐☐☐ ☐☐☐☐☐
Electrons: 2 222 22222 (This means the maximum number of electrons at n = 3 is 18)
As you can see, each shell gains a new type of sub-shell (s, then p and then d). For the fourth shell, on top of 4s, 4p, 4d, there would also be 4f. As there 7 orbitals, it will hold an additional 14 electrons.
The sub-shells that make up electron shells, have different energy levels themselves. What is the order of the sub-shell energy level, lowest to highest?
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d
*CHECK THIS IS ALL WE NEED TO KNOW.
What is the energy of orbitals?
Orbitals in the same sub-shell are at the same energy level.
How do electrons fill/occupy sub-shells?
Electrons occupy the orbitals in sub-shells in order of increasing energy levels, filling the lowest available energy level first.
Each energy level must be full before the next, higher energy level starts to fill.
When a sub-shell is built up with electrons, each orbital is filled up singly before pairing. Each orbital containing paired electrons should have opposite spins
The 4s orbital is at a slightly lower energy level than the 3d orbitals. This means 4s will fill before 3d.
How do you write the electron configurations of atoms?
Write the electron configuration for oxygen?
They are written in the form nxʸ, where:
- n is the shell number
- x is the type of orbital
- y is the number of electrons occupying the orbitals of the sub-shell.
Oxygen: 1s²2s²2p⁴ - You need to be able to deduce the electron configuration for the first 36 atoms.
Write the orbitals occupied by oxygen
1s²2s²2pₓ²2pᵧ¹2pz¹ (z should be subscript)
What happens when an atom is ionised?
During ionisation ( in this case, when an atom loses an electron), the electron in the highest energy level would be removed first
Show the electron configuration of Li and Li⁺?
Show the electron configuration of F and F⁻?
Li: 1s²2s¹
Li⁺: 1s²
F: 1s²2s²2p⁵
F⁻: 1s²2s²2p⁶
Why do elements react and bond together?
Elements react in order to become more stable by obtaining a full outer shell of electrons (noble gas electron configuration).
A noble gas is energetically stable.
Do we still assume that its 8 electrons or not? because now the third shell can hold up to 18 and the fourth can hold up to 36?
Types of chemical bonding?
Ionic Bonding
Covalent Bonding
Metallic Bonding
How does ionic bonding occur?
- Occurs between a metal and a non-metal, where electrons are transferred from the metal atom to the non-metal atoms, to form oppositely charged ions which attract. The metal ion becomes positively charged and the non-metal ion becomes negatively charged.
- Elements involved obtain a noble gas configuration.
Define an ‘ionic bond’?
An ionic bond is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
How does covalent bonding occur?
- Occurs between two non-metals, where a shared pair of negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positive nuclei of both bonded atoms.
- Elements involved obtain a noble gas configuration.
Define ‘covalent bond’?
The electrostatic attraction between shared pairs of electrons and the nuclei of the bonding atoms.
What are dot-and-cross diagrams used to show?
Draw the dot and cross diagram for the ionic bonding in Na₂O:
Dot-and-cross diagrams are used to show the origin of electrons in chemical bonding.
Drawing should show that one electron is transferred from each of the two sodium atoms to one oxygen atom with the formation of two Na⁺ ions and one O²⁻. Both elements are left with a full outer shell by gaining or losing electrons.
When drawing ions:
- Show the outer shell of the ions - where lost you can leave the shell empty
- Show charges on the ions by adding quare brackets around the ion and placing the charge outside the bracket.
Write the Ionic Equations for the formation of Na₂O. Also write how each of their electron configuration changes.
2Na → 2Na⁺ + 2e⁻
1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
O + 2e⁻ → O²⁻
1s²2s²2p⁴ →1s²2s²2p⁶
How do ionic compounds exist?
All ionic compounds exist as:
- 3D giant ionic lattices in solid state
- where each ion is fixed in position
- and surrounded by oppositely charged ions.
- The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions occurs from all directions.
(Remember this in 3D drawings - same element cannot be next to each other)
When in liquid state, the ions are free to move around.
Examples of other Ionic Compounds?
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Calcium oxide (CaO) Aluminium Fluoride (AlF₃)
DRAW THEIR DOT-AND-CROSS DIAGRAMS.
Ioninc Equation for the formation of AlF₃
Al → Al³⁺ + 3e⁻
3F + 3e⁻→ 3F⁻
Properties of ionic compounds due to their giant ionic lattices?
High melting and boiling points
Electrical conductivity when molten/in solution
Soluble in polar solvents
Why do giant ionic lattices have high melting and boiling points?
Large amounts of energy are required to break the strong electrostatic force of attractions that hold together oppositely charged ions (the ionic bonds) in the giant ionic solid lattice. For this reason, ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.
Why does MgO have a higher melting than NaCl?
This is because the charges on the Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ are greater than those on Na⁺ and Cl⁻. The greater the charge, the stronger the ionic bonds/electrostatic force of attraction between the oppositedly ions. This means a greater amount of energy is required to break the ioninc lattice of MgO than NaCl during melting.
Why can’t ionic compounds conduct electricity as a solid?
Ionic compounds exist as:
- 3D giant ionic lattices in solid state
- where each ion is fixed in position unable to move
- so cannot carry the charge.
- Therefore, cannot conduct electricity.
Why can ionic cmpounds conduct electricity when molten or in solution?
When an ionic compound is molten or dissolved in water (in solution) the giant solid lattice breaks down and the ions are free to move, so can carry the charge. Therefore, it can conduct electricity.
Why does an ionic lattice dissolve in polar solvents, such as water?
This is because polar solvents contain polar bonds. A polar bond occurs between atoms that do not share the electrons in their covalent bond equally. This results in small charges on each of the atoms. These small charges within the polar solvent break down the giant ionic lattice by attracting the oppositely charged ions, surrounding each ion to form a solution. This disrupts the lattice and the ions are pulled out of it.
How to draw e.g. NaCl dissolved in e.g. water
Na⁺ attracts δ- charges on the O atoms of the water molecules
Cl⁻ attracts δ+ charges on the H atoms of the water moelcules
Positive ions are attracted to the lone pairs on the oxygen of the water molecules (with an δ- charge) and coordinate dative covalent bonds may form. The hydrogen of the water molecules (with an δ+ charge) form hydrogen bonds with negative ions and Cl⁻ - CHECK THIS SECOND BIT AND CLEAR UP ANY QUERIES.
Define single covalent bond?
Define double covalent bond?
Define triple covalent bond?
Where atoms are bonded by one shared pair of electrons between the nuclei. Written as H-H
Where atoms are bonded by two shared pairs of electrons between the nuclei. Written as O=O.
Where atoms are bonded by three shared pairs of electrons between the nuclei. Written as N≡N.
Some elements will always make the same number of covalent bonds when they bond. State the number of covalent bonds for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen.
*4 covalent bonds could mean, 4 single bonds, 2 double bonds, a double bond and two single bonds, a triple bond and a single bond etc.
Carbon will always make four covalent bonds.
Nitrogen will always make three covalent bonds.
Oxygen will always makes two covalent bonds.
Hydrogen always makes one covalent bonds.
Notice: Max number of covalent bonds that can form = number of electrons in the outer shell.
What is a lone pair? (Compared to a bonding pair)
A lone pair is an outer-shell pair of electrons that is not involved in chemical bonding.
What does a lone pair do?
A lone pair gives a concentrated region of negative charge around the atom. This can influence the chemistry of a molecle in many way.
What is average bond enthalpy?
The mean energy needed for 1 mole of a given type of gaseous bonds to undergo homolytic fission.
Different bonds have different amounts of energy. In general, which bonds are the strongest and weakest?
Triple bonds are the strongest, then double bonds and then single bonds.
What is a dative covalent bond/coordinate bon?
A dative covalent bond/coordinate bond is a bond formed from a shared pair of electrons that has been provided by one of the bonding atoms only.
How can a dative covalent bond be written?
A dative covalent bond can be written as A→B, where the direction of arrow shows the direction in which the electron pair has been donated. In the example above, A is donating a pair of electrons to B.