C3 2.
7 Activity: Electronic structure
Modelling electronic structures
Learning objectives Working scientifically skills
• Draw the electronic structure of the • Understand that scientific methods and
atoms of the first 18 elements of the theories develop as earlier explanations
Periodic Table. are modified to take account of new
evidence and ideas, together with the
• Make predictions using scientific
importance of publishing results and peer
knowledge.
review.
• Ask questions and develop a line of
enquiry based on observations of the real
world, alongside prior knowledge and
experience.
• Make predictions using scientific
knowledge and understanding.
Task
1. Draw three electron shells (circles increasing in size) on your mini-whiteboards.
Arrange beads/counters to create a model of the electronic structure of a sodium atom
like the one shown below.
2. Complete the table by drawing the arrangements of electrons in the first 18 elements.
Use the atomic symbol already shown to represent the nucleus of the atom.
H He
Li Be B C N O F Ne
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
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C2.7 Activity: Electronic structure
3. Discuss with your group any patterns you can see in the electronic structures of the
first 18 elements.
4. Complete the sentences by joining the sentence starters with the sentence ends to
describe how electrons are arranged in atoms.
Atoms of Group 7 elements
have… … the second shell of electrons.
An atom of an element with
… 7 outer shell electrons.
7 protons must have…
A maximum of eight electrons
… a total of 12 electrons.
can exist in…
Atoms of Group 1 elements
… 1 outer shell electron.
have…
A maximum of two electrons
can exist in… … a total of 7 electrons.
An atom of an element with
12 protons must have… … the first shell of electrons.
Questions
1. Give the number of outer shell electrons in an atom of a Group 3 element. (1 mark)
2. Give the number of outer shell electrons in an atom of a Group 6 element. (1 mark)
3. A phosphorus atom has 15 protons and 16 neutrons.
a. State the total number of electrons in an atom of phosphorus. (1 mark)
b. Calculate the relative atomic mass of an atom of phosphorus. (1 mark)
4. Beryllium and magnesium are both in Group 2 of the Periodic Table.
a. How many electrons are in the outer shell of each element? (2 marks)
b. Why do beryllium and magnesium have similar chemical properties? (1 mark)
c. Give the number of electron shells in an atom of each element. (2 marks)
5. Look at the Periodic Table and find caesium and krypton.
Predict the number of electrons in the outer shell of each element. (2 marks)
6. Oxygen and fluorine are both in Period 2 of the Periodic Table.
a. Give the number of electron shells in an atom of oxygen or fluorine. (1 mark)
b. Predict whether or not oxygen and fluorine have similar chemical
properties. Explain your answer. (2 marks)
7. An atom of element X has 9 protons. Draw the electronic configuration of
an atom of an element that has 3 more protons than element X. (2 marks)
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