Exam 1: Atomic Orbitals Flashcards
What does the electron configuration tell us?
It shows the exact orbitals occupied by electrons within an atom
What are atomic orbitals?
Mathematical function describing the location and wave-like behavior of an electron in an atom
What shape is the S orbital?
Sphere
What shape is the P orbital?
Dumbell/Figure 8
What shape is the D orbital?
Clover/2 Dumbells/2 Figure 8’s
What are the 2 types of electrons?
Core - innermost electrons that occupy the lowest energy levels; these are tightly bound to the nucleus, are not involved in chemical bonding, and they influence the chemical reactivity of the atom
Valence - outermost electrons that occupy the highest energy levels; these are not held as tightly as core electrons, they ARE involved in chemical bonding, and they influence certain properties within the atom
How can you tell which electrons are core vs. valence?
The group number will tell you how many valence electrons you have, and you will subtract that number from the total amount of electrons
*Once the group number goes above 12, subtract 10 from the group number
Ex: Neon
Neon has 8 valence electrons and 2 core electrons
Sr = 2 valence electrons; 36 core electrons
What is an electron configuration?
A systematic way to place electrons into the proper orbitals
What is the Aufbau principle?
Electrons are placed into orbitals of the lowest available energy
What is the Pauli Exclusion Principle?
No two electrons can be the same and must be spin-paired
How many electrons can an S-orbital hold?
2 electrons
How many electrons can a P-orbital hold?
6 electrons
How many electrons can a D-orbital hold?
10 electrons
How many electrons can an F-orbital hold? (He said we wouldn’t deal with the F-block but just in case he asks how many electrons)
14 electrons
