Relative Energies and Electron Configurations Flashcards
What do the relative energies of subshells in hydrogen look like?
All orbitals in a given shell (n) have the same energy
What do the relative energies of subshells in multi-electronic atoms look like?
The orbitals in the shells are spread over a range of energies
What do electrons behave like?
Magnets. Electrons spin around their axis which creates a current and then makes an electric field which in turn generates a magnetic field
Which ways do electrons spin?
Spin either clockwise or anti-clockwise which creates magnetic fields in opposite directions; which attracts to the S and N pole of a magnet
What is Pauli’s exclusion principle?
- Electrons can spin up or down
- Maximum 2 electrons in an orbital
- 2 electrons can occupy an orbital only if they have opposite spins
What are the properties of electrons that spin up?
More stable, at ground state, lower energy
How many orbitals and electrons in the s orbital?
1 orbital and 2 electrons
How many orbitals and electrons in the p orbital?
3 orbitals and 6 electrons
How many orbitals and electrons in the d orbital?
5 orbitals and 10 electrons
What is the Aufbau principal?
Add electrons one at a time to available orbitals with the lowest energy until the right number of electrons have been added.
What is Hund’s rule?
When electrons are placed in degenerate orbitals, they are spread out as much as possible to give maximum number of unpaired electrons
What does an atom in an excited state look like?
One or more electrons in orbitals which are not in the lowest energy state (spinning down). Does not follow Aufbau, Pauli, and/or Hund
When is the spdf electronic configuration used?
- Learning about distribution of electrons in shells and subshells
- learning about valence electrons that get involved in the reaction
When is the orbital box diagram used?
- Interested in the spin of electrons
- Interested in magnetic properties of unpaired electrons
When is an energy diagram used?
- Used when discussing bond theories
