Element Geochemistry

Question 1

Electronic structure

Answer 1

Determines the size, charge, and bonding character of an atom and/or ion. Which all changes the behaviour of an element

Question 2

What are the 4 types of orbitals?

Answer 2

s, p, d, f

Question 3

How many electrons can an S-type orbital hold?

Answer 3

2

Question 4

How many electrons can a P-type orbital hold?

Answer 4

6

Question 5

How many electrons can a D-type orbital hold?

Answer 5

10

Question 6

How many electrons can a F-type hold?

Answer 6

14

Question 7

The Aufbau Principle

Answer 7

Electrons are put into orbitals in order of increasing subshell energy
Higher shells does NOT = higher energy

Question 8

Pauli Exclusion Principle

Answer 8

Each orbital can accommodate a max of 2 electrons and they must spin in opposite directions.
No two electrons have the same state at the same time.

Question 9

Hund’s Rule

Answer 9

For a given subshell, one electron goes into each orbital before two electrons can be placed in any of them.

Question 10

Enhanced Stability

Answer 10

Atoms achieve a state of enhanced stability when the available orbitals are either fully filled, half-filled, or empty

Question 11

Electron Microprobe Analyzer (EMPA)

Answer 11

Tool that analyzes the chemical composition of rocks by x-rays (electron beam)

Question 12

Four factors controlling behaviour of elements

Answer 12

1) Mass
2) Size
3) Charge (valence)
4) Bonding character

Question 13

Is size proportional to mass?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

Is the size of an atom = size of an ion?

Answer 14

No

Question 15

True or False: Size of cation > Size of atom

Answer 15

False. Cation < Atom

Question 16

True or False: Size of anion > Size of atom

Answer 16

True

Question 17

True or False: The larger the + charge, the smaller the cation

Answer 17

True

Question 18

True or False: The larger the - charge, the larger the anion

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Why is the size of an ion important for element behaviour in crystals?

Answer 19

It determines whether certain elements can be accommodated by certain minerals

Question 20

Electron donors

Answer 20

Give away electrons in order to achieve stability

Question 21

Electron acceptors

Answer 21

Gain electrons in order to achieve stability

Question 22

Cations

Answer 22

Positively charged, formed from atoms giving away electrons

Question 23

Anions

Answer 23

Negatively charged, formed from atoms gaining electrons

Question 24

What are 3 parameters affecting if an element tends to lose or gain electrons?

Answer 24

First ionization potential
Metallic character
Electronegativity

Question 25

First Ionization Potential

Answer 25

The amount of energy needed to drive off an electron from the atom in the gaseous state

Question 26

Metallic Character

Answer 26

A qualitative description of the extent that an element tends to give away electrons

Question 27

Electronegativity

Answer 27

A measure of the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons to itself

Question 28

Ionic bond

Answer 28

Cations and anions are attracted to each other and form a bond

Question 29

Covalent bond

Answer 29

When two elements having similar electron donor/acceptor character interact

Question 30

True or False: Electron transfer is never 100% complete (no bond is 100%)

Answer 30

True

Question 31

Ionic character

Answer 31

A measure of the extent an atom tends to form an ionic bond with another atom

Question 32

Covalent character

Answer 32

A measure of the extent an atom tends to form a covalent bond with another atom

Question 33

True or False: Elements from opposite ends of the periodic table tend to form ionic bond

Answer 33

True

Question 34

True or False: Elements close to each other in the periodic table tend to form covalent bond

Answer 34

True

Question 35

Goldschmidt's classification of elements (4 groups)

Answer 35

Lithophile - silicates Siderophile - iron Chalcophile - sulfides Atmophile - atmosphere

Question 36

Why are noble gas elements enriched in the atmosphere rather than in the rocks?

Answer 36

Noble gases have a charge of 0. Rocks need bonds and noble gases don't have them.

Question 37

Why are certain elements always associated with each other?

Answer 37

They have similar electron structures