Electron configuration
Electrons are arranged in energy levels that are The first ionisation energy is the energy required
subdivided into subshells, designated: to remove 1 mole of electrons from 1 mole of gaseous
■■ s — holds up to 2 electrons atoms to form 1 mole of gaseous 1+ ions. The equation
■■ p — holds up to 6 electrons to represent this for an element X is:
■■ d — holds up to 10 electrons
X(g) → X+(g) + e –
Subshells contain orbitals; two electrons can occupy
The equation to represent the second ionisation energy is:
each orbital. The subshells fill in the order:
X+(g) → X 2+(g) + e –
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p
Down a group the first ionisation energy decreases
When first series transition metal atoms form ions they
because there is an increase in atomic radius and
lose their 4s electrons first.
increased shielding and hence less nuclear attraction
of the outer electron.
The electron configurations of chromium and copper
atoms are unusual:
Across a period first ionisation increases because there
Cr: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d 5 4s1 (not 3d4 4s2) is an increase in nuclear charge, but shielding is similar
Cu: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1 (not 3d 9 4s2) as the electron is being removed from the same shell.
As a result, there is a smaller atomic radius, as the
outermost electron is held closer to the nucleus by the
greater nuclear charge.
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1 Write the electronic configuration of the following atoms and ions. (AO2) 12 marks
a H ..................................................................................... g Cl– .....................................................................................
b F ....................................................................................... h N3– ...................................................................................
c Mg ................................................................................ i V3+ ....................................................................................
d Al .................................................................................... j Cu2+ ................................................................................
e Fe ................................................................................... k Fe3+ .................................................................................
f Ni ................................................................................... l S2– ......................................................................................
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2 The graph shows the variation in first ionisation energy with atomic number.
2400 To which one of the following do
–1
Ionisation energy/kJ mol
2000 the elements P and Q belong?
(AO2) 1 mark
1600
A alkali metals
1200
800
B halogens
400 P Q
C noble gases
0 D transition metals
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Atomic number
844669_AQA_A-Level_AS_Chemistry.indd 6 03/09/2015 19:57
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
25
Exam-style questions
●
1 Magnesium has three stable isotopes. Two of these are 25
Mg and 26Mg.
a i Complete the table below to show the number of each type of fundamental
particle in one atom of 25Mg and 26Mg. 2 marks
Protons Neutrons Electrons
25
Mg
26
Mg
ii Use the periodic table to deduce the full electron configuration of magnesium. 1 mark
TOPIC 1
iii A sample of magnesium consisting of three isotopes has a relative atomic mass of 24.33.
The table below gives the relative abundance of two of these isotopes.
Mass number of isotope 25 26
Relative abundance/% 10.11 11.29
Exam-style questions
Use this information to determine the relative abundance and hence the mass number of
the third isotope.
Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures. 4 marks
iv State, in terms of fundamental particles, why the isotopes 25Mg and 26Mg have
similar chemical reactions. 1 mark
v A time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer can be used to determine the relative atomic
mass of an element. The magnesium is ionised and the ions then accelerated.
Explain how and why the ions are accelerated. 2 marks
The first ionisation energy of magnesium is 738 kJ mol–1.
b i Write an equation to show the process that occurs when the first ionisation
energy of magnesium is measured. Include state symbols in your equation. 1 mark
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