/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 9 Write the electron configuration... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Write the electron configuration for phosphorus. Identify the valence electrons in this configuration and the nonvalence electrons. From the standpoint of chemical reactivity, what is the important difference between them?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The electron configuration of phosphorus (atomic number 15) is 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鲁. There are 5 valence electrons (3s虏 3p鲁) and 10 nonvalence electrons (1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦). The important difference in chemical reactivity between valence and nonvalence electrons is that valence electrons are more accessible and play a more significant role in chemical reactions and bonding, while nonvalence electrons are less likely to participate in chemical reactions due to their tighter bond to the nucleus.

Step by step solution

01

Write the electron configuration of phosphorus

To write the electron configuration of phosphorus, we must first know the atomic number of phosphorus, which is 15. This means there are 15 electrons in a neutral atom of phosphorus. Using the periodic table and the electron filling order (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, ...), we can write the electron configuration. - 1s orbital can hold 2 electrons 鈫 1s虏 - 2s orbital can hold 2 electrons 鈫 2s虏 - 2p orbital can hold 6 electrons 鈫 2p鈦 - 3s orbital can hold 2 electrons 鈫 3s虏 - 3p orbital can hold the remaining 3 electrons 鈫 3p鲁 Therefore, the electron configuration of phosphorus is 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鲁.
02

Identify valence and nonvalence electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level (shell), while nonvalence electrons are located within the inner energy levels (shells). In our electron configuration for phosphorus (1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鲁), the outermost energy level is n = 3. Thus, the valence electrons are in the 3s and 3p orbitals, which have 5 electrons in total (3s虏 3p鲁). The nonvalence electrons are those in the inner energy levels (1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦), with a total of 10 electrons.
03

Describe the important difference in chemical reactivity between valence and nonvalence electrons

The important difference between valence and nonvalence electrons when it comes to chemical reactivity is that valence electrons are more accessible because they are located in the outermost energy level. As a result, valence electrons play a more significant role in chemical reactions and bonding, as they can be easily gained, lost, or shared between atoms. On the other hand, nonvalence electrons are found in inner energy levels and are less likely to participate in chemical reactions, as they are more tightly bound to the nucleus and harder to remove from the atom.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Electron Configuration
Electron configuration refers to the way electrons are arranged around the nucleus of an atom. Understanding the electron configuration of an atom like phosphorus helps reveal how electrons are distributed across different energy levels.
Phosphorus has an atomic number of 15, which signifies 15 electrons in a neutral phosphorus atom. Electrons are filled into different orbitals according to specific rules starting from the lowest energy level. Here are key steps in writing electron configurations:
  • First, fill the 1s orbital, which holds up to 2 electrons: 1s虏.
  • Next, fill the 2s orbital with 2 more electrons: 2s虏.
  • The 2p orbital comes next and can contain up to 6 electrons: 2p鈦.
  • The third energy level begins with the 3s orbital, holding 2 electrons: 3s虏.
  • Finally, place the remaining 3 electrons into the 3p orbital: 3p鲁.
Thus, the electron configuration for phosphorus becomes 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鲁. This sequence details the arrangement of electrons, where each number and letter indicates the number of electrons and the type of orbital they occupy.
Chemical Reactivity
Chemical reactivity is largely influenced by the presence of valence electrons, which reside in the outermost shell of an atom and are crucial in forming chemical bonds. These electrons determine how an atom interacts with others.
Valence electrons can be gained, lost, or shared, meaning they play a pivotal role in chemical reactions. For example, phosphorus in the electron configuration 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦 3s虏 3p鲁 has 5 valence electrons in the n=3 level (3s虏 3p鲁).
  • These 5 valence electrons define its reactivity and bonding with other elements.
  • An atom like phosphorus tends to seek stability by filling its outer shell, leading to reactions where it might gain, lose, or share electrons.
In contrast, nonvalence electrons, nestled in inner shells, contribute less to chemical reactivity due to their proximity to the atom's nucleus, which binds them more strongly. Thus, their role in chemical bond formation is minimal.
Periodic Table
The periodic table is an essential tool in chemistry, organizing elements in a way that showcases recurring properties and trends. Understanding the placement of an element like phosphorus on the periodic table helps to predict its behavior, including electron configuration and chemical reactivity.
Phosphorus is located in period 3 and group 15 (or group VA), providing insights into its electron configuration and number of valence electrons. Here's how the periodic table aids in understanding elements:
  • The period an element is in indicates the highest energy level an electron occupies, which for phosphorus is 3.
  • The group number (in the main group elements) can show the number of valence electrons. Phosphorus, being in group 15, typically has 5 valence electrons.
  • Elements in the same group often have similar reactivity due to having the same number of valence electrons.
Therefore, the periodic table isn't just a list of elements; it's also a map that aids in predicting chemical behavior and understanding elemental properties.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

For elements in the third row of the periodic table and beyond, the octet rule is often not obeyed. What factors are usually cited to explain this fact?

Average bond enthalpies are generally defined for gasphase molecules. Many substances are liquids in their standard state. \(\mathrm{OB}\) (Section 5.7) By using appropriate thermochemical data from Appendix C, calculate average bond enthalpies in the liquid state for the following bonds, and compare these values to the gas-phase values given in Table 8.4: (a) \(\mathrm{Br}-\mathrm{Br}\), from \(\mathrm{Br}_{2}(l) ;\) (b) \(\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{Cl}\), from \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}(l) ;\) (c) \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O}\), from \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}(l)\) (assume that the \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}\) bond enthalpy is the same as in the gas phase). (d) What can you conclude about the process of breaking bonds in the liquid as compared to the gas phase? Explain the difference in the \(\Delta H\) values between the two phases.

Consider the nitryl cation, \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{+} .\) (a) Write one or more appropriate Lewis structures for this ion. (b) Are resonance structures needed to describe the structure? (c) With what familiar molecule is it isoelectronic?

What is the most common exception to the octet rule? Give two examples.

(a) Construct a Lewis structure for \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) in which each atom achieves an octet of electrons. (b) Explain why it is necessary to form a double bond in the Lewis structure. (c) The bond in \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) is shorter than the \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O}\) bond in compounds that contain an \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O}\) single bond. Explain this observation.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.