ION FORMATION

Energy Levels in Atoms and Electron configuration

Rutherford
Bohr’s Atomic Model

In our work we will limit our studies to Bohr’s

Atomic Model:

An electron is found only in specific circular

paths “Orbits” around the nucleus, called
“Energy levels”.

Electrons can move from one energy level to

another by gaining or losing an certain
amount of energy Quantum.
 Bohr Atomic Model

According to Bohr electrons are distributed over 7 energy

levels (named K to Q).

We will limit our studies now to the first 4 levels: K L M N.

Later on we will discover that those levels have sublevels (Orbitals).

 Bohr Energy Levels

Depending on: Principal Maximum

energy level number of
The energy of electrons. electrons

1 2
The electron-electron repulsion forces
2 8
The electrons-protons attraction forces
3 18

4 32
The number of electrons occupying each shell
will vary.
 Electron Configuration (Bohr)

Electrons occupy the orbitals of lowest energy first (nearest to the nucleus).

For the first 20 elements (20 electrons), electrons will fill the energy levels following a
simple rule:

Energy level 1: 2 electrons

Energy level 2: 8 electrons

Energy level 3: 8 electrons.

Energy level 4: 2 electrons.

Stability of atoms: formation of “Ions”

In nature atoms are rarely found in there simple element form.

Atoms will try to find stability and form compounds with other atoms to insure this stability.

To find stability atoms will want to follow the Octet rule:

Atoms that don’t have 8 electrons on their outer shell “Valence shell” L and M energy
levels will tend to lose/ gain electrons to reach the Octet.

Some atoms (atomic number 5 and less will tend to achieve a duet on the K energy
level).
Ions:

Ions are formed by atoms that lost or gained electrons:

Cation Anion
 Practice:

1)Find the electron configuration of the 2)Find and explain the ion formed for each
following elements: element:

17 Cl Cl
17

O
8 O
8

Li
3 Li
3

B
5
B
5

Ar
18
18 Ar