Electron configuration

What is electron configuration?

The distribution of electrons in the atomic orbitals of an atom, often expressed using the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle.

What is the electron group geometry for 4 electron pairs?

Tetrahedral with bond angles of approximately 109.5°

How is the molecular geometry of a molecule determined using VSEPR theory?

By drawing the Lewis structure, counting electron pairs, and using the basic VSEPR formula (AXyEz).

What is a polar molecule?

A molecule that has a net dipole moment due to the presence of polar bonds and an asymmetrical shape.

What are the three types of intermolecular forces?

1) Dispersion (London) Forces, 2) Dipole-Dipole Attractions, 3) Hydrogen Bonding.

What is the bond angle in a trigonal planar molecular geometry?

120°.

Describe hydrogen bonding and its significance.

A special type of dipole-dipole interaction where hydrogen is bonded to electronegative atoms (N, O, or F), resulting in stronger intermolecular forces.

What is the impact of temperature on surface tension?

Surface tension decreases with increasing temperature.

How do lone pairs affect molecular geometry?

Lone pairs occupy space and exert greater electron repulsion, distorting bond angles compared to similar geometries without lone pairs.

What structure does BeH2 have and why?

Linear structure with 180° bond angles due to the minimal repulsion of its 2 electron pairs.

What defines a molecule as having a dipole moment?

The presence of charge separation within the molecule.

What are cohesive forces?

Forces between like molecules, for example, forces between water molecules.

What is viscosity?

A measure of a liquid's resistance to flow.

What is the relationship between molecular shape and physical properties?

Molecular shape significantly influences the chemical and physical properties of a substance.

Why are London dispersion forces significant in non-polar molecules?

They are the main forces of attraction due to temporary induced dipoles.

How is dipole-dipole force different from hydrogen bonding?

Dipole-dipole forces occur between polar molecules, while hydrogen bonds are a stronger type that occurs specifically between molecules with hydrogen bonded to N, O, or F.

What is the Aufbau principle?

The principle that electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals first before filling higher energy orbitals.

What is Hund's rule?

The rule stating that electrons will fill degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up.

What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers, meaning an orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.

What are valence electrons?

The electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

How do you determine the number of valence electrons in an element?

By looking at the group number in the periodic table for main group elements.

What is an energy level in electron configuration?

A region around the nucleus of an atom where electrons can be found, corresponding to different energy states.

What does the electron configuration of an atom indicate?

It indicates the arrangement of electrons among the various orbitals of an atom.

What is the significance of noble gas configurations?

Noble gas configurations represent the most stable electron arrangements, making them a reference point for other elements.

Explain what is meant by an orbital.

An orbital is a region of space around the nucleus of an atom where the probability of finding an electron is high.

What is the electron configuration for Oxygen?

1s² 2s² 2p⁴.