/*! 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 57 Why do we believe that the valen... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 10: Problem 57

Why do we believe that the valence electrons of calcium and potassium reside in the \(4 s\) orbital rather than in the \(3 d\) orbital?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The valence electrons of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) reside in the 4s orbital rather than the 3d orbital due to the energy levels and the Aufbau principle. The 4s orbital has a lower energy than the 3d orbital, making electrons fill the 4s orbitals first according to the Aufbau principle. As valence electrons are the outermost electrons available for chemical bonding, the electron configurations show that calcium and potassium have their valence electrons in the 4s orbitals.

Step by step solution

01

Recall the electron configurations of calcium and potassium

Before determining the valence electrons of calcium and potassium, let's recall their electron configurations. Calcium has an atomic number of 20, and potassium has an atomic number of 19. The electron configurations for these elements are: - Calcium (Ca): 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦� 3s虏 3p鈦� 4s虏 - Potassium (K): 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦� 3s虏 3p鈦� 4s鹿
02

Identify the valence electrons

We know that the valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom that are available for chemical bonding. In the electron configurations of calcium and potassium, we can see that their outermost electrons are located in the 4s orbital: - Calcium (Ca): 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦� 3s虏 3p鈦� \(\underline{4s^2}\) - Potassium (K): 1s虏 2s虏 2p鈦� 3s虏 3p鈦� \(\underline{4s^1}\) The valence electrons for Ca and K reside in the 4s orbitals.
03

Understand energy levels and the Aufbau principle

Atomic orbitals have different energy levels, with 1s being the lowest and energy levels increasing from there. Electrons fill in the atomic orbitals following the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons will fill the lowest available energy level before filling higher energy levels. The 4s orbital has a lower energy than the 3d orbital, so the electrons will fill it first.
04

Explain why valence electrons are in the 4s orbital

Based on the energy levels, Aufbau principle, and electron configurations, we can conclude that the valence electrons of calcium and potassium reside in the 4s orbital rather than the 3d orbital. According to the Aufbau principle, electrons fill the lower energy level 4s orbitals before moving to the higher energy level 3d orbitals. Since the element's outermost electrons are responsible for chemical bonding and reactions, the valence electrons of both calcium and potassium are found in the 4s orbitals.

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!

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

Why do the metallic elements of a given period (horizontal row) typically have much lower ionization energies than do the nonmetallic elements of the same period?

How are the different types of electromagnetic radiation similar? How do they differ?

When an atom absorbs energy, it goes into a(n) _______ state.

Write the valence shell electron configuration of each of the following elements, basing your answer on the element's location on the periodic table. a. hafnium, \(Z=72\) b. radium, \(Z=88\) c. antimony, \(Z=51\) d. lead, \(Z=82\)

Why do the two electrons in the \(2 p\) sublevel of carbon occupy different \(2 p\) orbitals?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation
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.