Electrons in Atoms and Ions Flashcards
What is an orbital?
a region of space that can hold up to 2 electrons with opposite spins. It has a specific energy level.
How are the shapes of orbitals denoted?
s
p
d
f
What is the shape of an s orbital?
circle
has a spherical boudary surface
What is the shape of a p orbital?
“dumbbell” shaped
infinty shaped
What is a shell?
a group of orbitals denoted by the same number (they are mathematically related)
How are orbitals in the same shell similar?
they are generally similar in size so the average distance from the nucleus is similar
How are the energy levels in orbitals related?
they are similar but not the same
What happens when the number of shells increases?
the orbitals within the shell become larger = the average distance from the nucleus of the electrons within the orbitals increases = the energy of the electrons also increases
How are the p orbitals in a shell arranged?
at right angles to each other
How many s orbitals in a shell?
1
How many p orbitals in a shell?
3
How many d orbitals in a shell?
5
How many f orbitals in a shell?
7
How many electrons are in a s orbital?
2
How many electrons are in a p subshell?
6
How many electrons are in a d subshell?
10
How many electrons are in a f subshell?
14
How do electrons arrange themselves in an orbital?
occupy as many is neccessary, starting with those of the lowest energy
elecrtons will pair up in an orbital
electrons will go in different subshells to start - they do not pair up
Why don’t electrons pair up in orbitals initially?
it gives a lower overall energy state which reduces the repulsion between electrons
What is a sub-shell?
groups of orbitals of the same type, they are named according to the shell they are in and the orbital type
eg 2p
What is reflected in the periodic table?
the relative energies
Where are the s block elements?
group 1 and 2
Where are the p block elements?
Group 3,4,5,6,7,0
Where are the d block elements?
transition metals
What happens when a +ion is formed in terms of electrons?
the highest energy electrons are lost first
What happens when a -ion is formed in terms of electrons?
extra electrons are added to the highest energy subshell until it is full
Why does the 3d subshell come after the 4s subshell when DRAWING the electron configuration?
it has a higher energy than 4s
but lower energy than 4p
Why does the 3d subshell come before the 4s subshell when WRITING the electron configuration?
4s looses electrons first
What classifies elements as p-block (any block) elements?
their electron configuration ends in P
