EXAMPLE PROBLEM 5-4

Writing Electron-Dot Structures

Some sheet glass is manufactured using a process that makes use of
molten tin. What is tin’s electron-dot structure?

1. Analyze the Problem

You are given the element tin (Sn). Consult the periodic table to
determine the total number of electrons an atom of tin has. Write
out tin’s electron configuration and determine the number of
valence electrons it has. Then use the number of valence electrons
and the rules for electron-dot structures to draw the electron-dot
structure for tin.

2. Solve for the Unknown

From the periodic table, tin is found to have an atomic number of
50. Thus, a tin atom has 50 electrons. Write out the noble-gas form
of tin’s electron configuration.
[Kr]5s24d105p2

The two 5s and the two 5p electrons (the electrons in the orbitals
related to the atom’s highest principal energy level) represent tin’s
four valence electrons. Draw tin’s electron-dot structure by represent- Flat-surfaced window glass may
ing its four valence electrons with dots, arranged one at a time, be manufactured by floating
around the four sides of tin’s chemical symbol (Sn). molten glass on top of molten
tin.
Sn

3. Evaluate the Answer

The correct symbol for tin (Sn) has been used, and the rules for draw-
ing electron-dot structures have been correctly applied.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS
e!
23. Draw electron-dot structures for atoms of the following elements. Practic For more practice with
a. magnesium d. rubidium electron-dot structure
problems, go to
b. sulfur e. thallium Supplemental Practice
c. bromine f. xenon Problems in Appendix A.

Section 5.3 Assessment

24. State the aufbau principle in your own words. 27. Thinking Critically Use Hund’s rule and orbital
25. Apply the Pauli exclusion principle, the aufbau diagrams to describe the sequence in which ten
principle, and Hund’s rule to write out the electron electrons occupy the five orbitals related to an
configuration and draw the orbital diagram for atom’s d sublevel.
each of the following elements. 28. Interpreting Scientific Illustrations Which of
a. silicon c. calcium the following is the correct electron-dot structure
b. fluorine d. krypton for an atom of selenium? Explain.
a. Se b. Se c. Se d. S
26. What is a valence electron? Draw the electron-dot
structures for the elements in problem 25.

chemistrymc.com/self_check_quiz 5.3 Electron Configurations 141