Electron Structure Flashcards
What do electrons move around the nucleus in?
Electrons move around the nucleus in regions of the atom called shells or energy levels
Each electron shell is given a number called the what?
The principle quantum number
What effect does distance from the nucleus have on the principle quantum number?
The further a shell is from the nucleus, the higher it’s energy and the larger its principle quantum number
What are shells divided up into?
Shells are divided into sub-shells that have slightly different energy levels
The sub-shells have different numbers of what?
The sub-shells have different numbers of orbitals, each can hold up to 2 electrons
Name the sub-shells
s, p, d and f
How many orbitals are in each of the sub-shells?
s = 1 (max 2 electrons) p= 3 (max 6 electrons) d = 5 (max 10 electrons) f = 7 (max 14 electrons)
How many sub-shells are in each shell?
1st = 1s 2nd = 2s 2p 3rd = 3s 3p 3d 4th = 4s 4p 4d 4f
Which sub-shells do electrons fill up first?
Electrons fill the lowest energy sub-shells first
How to electrons spin in an orbital?
Two electrons spin in opposite directions
What is the main way of showing electron configuration?
Sub-shell notation
What is the exception with electrons filling up sub-shells with the lowest energy levels first?
The 4s sub-shell has a lower energy level than the 3d sub-shell, even though its principle quantum number is bigger. This means the 4s sub-shell fills up first
How do electrons fill up orbitals?
Electrons fill up singly before they start sharing orbitals
How do you get the configuration of ions from the s and p blocks on the periodic table?
Remove or add the electrons to or from the highest energy occupied sub-shell
What is different about Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu)
They donate one of their 4s electrons to the 3d sub-shell. This is because they are more stable with a full or half-full 3d sub-shell
