Orbitals, energy levels and ion formation
What is the electron configuration for thallium (atomic number 81)?
[Xe]6s²4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6p¹ or 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶6s² 4f¹⁴5d¹⁰6p¹
How many electrons does a nitrogen atom gain to become an ion?
N gains 3 electrons to become N³⁻.
How many electrons does an oxygen atom gain to become an ion?
O gains two electrons to become O²⁻.
What are orbitals?
Orbitals are like "bunk beds" for electrons. Each one can hold two electrons. An s subshell has one orbital, which holds two electrons. A p subshell has three orbitals, which can hold 6 electrons. A d subshell has five orbitals, which can hold 10 electrons. An f subshell has seven orbitals, which can hold 14 electrons.
Why does an atom become positively charged when it loses electrons?
When an atom loses electrons, it becomes (+)-charged because it now has more protons than electrons.
Why does an atom become negatively charged when it gains electrons?
When an atom loses electrons, it becomes (-)-charged because it now has more electrons than protons.
What is the electron configuration for arsenic?
1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p³ or [Ar]4s²3d¹⁰4p³
How many orbitals are in a d subshell? How about an f subshell? (Remember two electrons fit in each orbital).
A d subshell has 5 orbitals which can hold 10 electrons. An f subshell has 7 orbitals which can hold 14 electrons.
What is an anion?
A negatively-charged ion.
What is a cation?
A positively-charged ion.
What is an ion?
An atom that has gained or lost electrons, and thus has an imbalance of charge.
How many electrons does a calcium atom lose to become an ion?
Ca loses two electrons to become Ca²⁺.
How do you know what subshell the electron is located in?
It is done by section. The s in this picture is orange, the p is purple, the d subshell is green, and the f subshell is blue.
How do you know what energy level an electron is located in?
It is the period number (the number of the row).
What element has this electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴?
sulfur (S)
