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ELECTRON CONFIGURATIONS AND PERIODICITY

KEY TERMS

1. Electron spin and the Pauli Exclusion Principle

2. Hund’s rule
3. Electron configurations and use of the Periodic Table
3.1 expanded spdf notation
3.2 orbital diagram notation
3.3 noble-gas-core abbreviated notation
3.4 building-up principle and exceptions (e.g. Cu and Cr)
4. Diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism
5. Some Periodic Properties
5.1 atomic radii (ionic radii), effective nuclear charge
5.2 ionization energy
5.3 electron affinity
6. Electronegativity
7. Electronegativity difference and bond type
8. Metals, nonmetals, metalloids and noble gases

EXERCISE

1. Give in the expanded spdf notation, the orbital diagram notation and the noble-gas-core
abbreviated notation, the electron configuration of the following atoms:
(a) strontium (b) copper (c) chromium
(d) palladium (e) iron (f) sulphur

2. Which of the above elements, in atomic form, are expected to exhibit para-, dia- or
ferromagnetism?

3. Arrange each set of elements in order of increasing atomic radius.

(a) Mg, Si, S (b) As, N, P (c) As, Se, Sb

4. Arrange the following species in order of increasing radii:

(a) S2-, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Se2-
(b) Br-, Rb+, Se2-, Sr2+, Y3+

5. Arrange each set of elements in order of increasing first ionisation energy

(a) Mg, Si, S
(b) As, N, P
(c) As, Ge, P
6. In each set, indicate which is the more metallic element:
(a) Ba, Ca
(b) Sb, Sn
(c) Ge, S
7. In each set, indicate which is the more non-metallic element:
(a) O, P (b) As, S (c) P, F
8. Arrange the following sets of atoms in order of increasing electronegativity:
(a) Cl, Mg, Si (b) As, N, Sb (c) As, Se, Sb
9. Use electronegativity values to arrange the following bonds in order of increasing
polarity:

P – H, H – O, C – Cl