Answers''

Atomic'Structure'
Atomic'Orbitals'and'Electronic'Configurations'

a Ar: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

b Ge: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p2

c Rb: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1

d K: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1

e Sc: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d1

8

a' All have the same electronic configurations: 1s2 2s2 2p6

b' All have 10 electrons being pulled inwards by an increasing number of protons
from 7 protons if N3– to 13 in Al3– so the particles become progressively smaller.

9 The S2– ion (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6) will be larger (i.e. 184 pm) because it has more
electrons. The S6+ ion (1s2 2s2 2p6) will be 29 pm.

10

a' The 3p electron of aluminium is further from the nucleus and is more easily
removed than the 3s electron of magnesium.

b' Phosphorus has a 3p3 configuration which is a half-filled sub-shell and thus
unusually stable; sulfur’s fourth 3p electron must occupy an orbital which
already contains an electron making its configuration less stable so it has a
lower ionisation energy.

11' Filled ‘3d’ sub-shell and 4s1 is more stable than 3d9 4s2

12' Half filled ‘3d’ sub-shell and 4s1 is more stable than 3d4 4s2
Radioactivity