Some atoms of element X in a discharge tube are found to have the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶4s¹ - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 2
Some atoms of element X in a discharge tube are found to have the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶4s¹.
a. Give the name, or the chemical symbol, of element X.
b. I... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Some atoms of element X in a discharge tube are found to have the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶4s¹ - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. Give the name, or the chemical symbol, of element X.
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Element X has the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶4s¹, which corresponds to the element fluorine, commonly represented by the symbol 'F'.
Step 2
b. If the electron configuration changed from 1s²2s²2p⁶4s¹ to 1s²2s²2p⁶3s⁵, would the process be exothermic or endothermic? Explain your reasoning.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The process would be exothermic. This is because the electron moves from a higher energy level (4s subshell) to a lower energy level (3s subshell). As electrons move closer to the nucleus and occupy lower energy levels, energy is released.
Step 3
c. Write the ground state electron configuration for atoms of element X.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The ground state electron configuration for atoms of element X is 1s²2s²2p⁶.
