Organic Chemistry Chapter 1.l: Atomic Structure, Bonding, and Electron Configuration

What is the nucleus of an atom?

The center of mass of the atom that does not significantly contribute to volume.

What are protons and their properties?

Protons are units of positive charge with a mass of 1 amu and a charge of +1.

What are neutrons and their properties?

Neutrons carry no charge, have a mass of 1 amu, and a charge of 0.

What is the role of electrons in an atom?

Electrons determine the size or volume of the atom and have a mass of .0005 amu and a charge of -1.

What is an orbital?

A region in 3-D space where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

What does the principal quantum number (n) represent?

The main energy level or shell occupied by an electron, always a positive integer.

What does the secondary quantum number (l) indicate?

The energy sublevel or type of orbital occupied by the electron, with values from 0 to n-1.

What is the magnetic quantum number (ml)?

It represents the number of possible orientations in 3-D space for each type of orbital.

What does the spin quantum number (ms) signify?

It indicates the two possible orientations of an electron in a magnetic field, with values of +1/2 and -1/2.

What are the characteristics of 1s orbitals?

1s orbitals have a spherical shape, with electron density highest at the nucleus.

What distinguishes 2s orbitals from 1s orbitals?

2s orbitals have a node, an area of zero electron density, and are also spherical.

Describe the structure of 2p orbitals.

There are three 2p orbitals oriented at right angles, each consisting of two lobes with a node in between.

What is an isotope?

Different forms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different masses.

What does the atomic mass (A) represent?

The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

How is electronic configuration written?

It indicates the number of electrons occupying the orbital, e.g., 1s2.

What is the Aufbau principle?

Electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level.

What does Hund's rule state?

Electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing begins.

What is the Pauli exclusion principle?

Only electrons with opposite spins can occupy the same orbital.

What occurs during ionic bonding?

Atoms transfer electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration, resulting in charged atoms that attract each other.

What is covalent bonding?

Covalent bonding occurs when atoms share electrons to complete their octet.

What determines the polarity of a bond?

The difference in electronegativity between the bonded elements.

What is a dipole moment?

The amount of charge separation multiplied by the bond length.

What are nonbonding electrons?

Valence-shell electrons that are not shared between atoms, also called lone pairs.

What is a double bond?

The sharing of two pairs of electrons between atoms.

What is a triple bond?

The sharing of three pairs of electrons between atoms.

What are formal charges?

A way of keeping track of electrons that may or may not correspond to actual charges in a molecule.