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Atomic structure
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Question 1
In an atom, electrons are arranged in specific energy levels, also known as shells, surrounding the nucleus. Each shell can hold a maximum number of electrons determined by the formula 2n^2, where n is the shell number. What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the second shell (n=2)?
Explanation
The second shell can hold a maximum of 2(2^2) = 2(4) = 8 electrons. Therefore, 8 is the correct answer.
Question 2
The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in its nucleus. If an atom has an atomic number of 6, which of the following is true about its electrons when it is neutral?
Explanation
In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. For an atomic number of 6, there are also 6 electrons.
Question 3
The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and neutrons. The number of neutrons can vary among atoms of the same element, leading to the formation of isotopes. What defines different isotopes of the same element?
Explanation
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Question 4
When considering atomic mass, it is determined primarily by the mass of protons and neutrons, as electrons have negligible mass. If an element has an atomic mass of approximately 12 u (atomic mass units), what is the likely combination of protons and neutrons in its nucleus?
Explanation
An atomic mass of 12 u is consistent with 6 protons and 6 neutrons, reflecting the most common isotope of carbon.
Question 5
The arrangement of electrons in an atom determines its chemical properties and reactivity. According to the octet rule, atoms are especially stable when they have eight electrons in their valence shell. Which of the following elements achieves a full valence shell through covalent bonding?
Explanation
Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and can form covalent bonds to gain 2 more electrons, achieving a stable octet.
Question 6
In a laboratory experiment, a chemist is analyzing a sample of a new element. The element has an atomic number of 12 and an atomic mass of approximately 24. In this scenario, the chemist hypothesizes about the element's electron arrangement in relation to its reactivity. Given the atomic structure principles and the fact that the element belongs to the alkaline earth metals group, what is the most probable electron configuration for this element, and how does it relate to its reactivity? Question: What is the correct electron configuration for the element, and how does this configuration indicate its reactivity in chemical reactions?
Explanation
The correct answer, 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s², indicates that the element has two electrons in its outermost shell, typical of alkaline earth metals. This electron configuration explains its high reactivity, as the element is likely to lose these two electrons to achieve a stable octet in reactions. The other options misrepresent the number of electrons or configuration and thus suggest incorrect reactivity trends.
Question 7
During an educational workshop, students are presented with two elements, Element A with an atomic number of 6 and Element B with an atomic number of 7. They are asked to analyze the differences in their atomic structures and resultant properties. Notably, the kernel of each atom was discussed in terms of protons, neutrons, and electrons, along with their implications on bonding and ionization energy. Considering these factors, what conclusion can students draw about Element B compared to Element A? Question: What characteristic distinguishes Element B from Element A in terms of atomic structure and its impact on ionization energy?
Explanation
The correct answer states that Element B has one more proton (7 protons) compared to Element A (6 protons). This increase in nuclear charge results in a stronger attraction between the nucleus and the electrons, thus leading to a higher ionization energy for Element B. The other statements either misinterpret the relationship between neutrons and ionization energy or incorrectly analyze the electron shell configuration and valence electron behavior.
Question 8
A chemist is investigating the stability of a particular atom that has an atomic number of 18. They discover that this atom, which is a noble gas, has a completely filled outer electron shell. During their research, they consider introducing the atom into a non-reactive environment to observe its properties. Question: What conclusion can the chemist draw about the chemical reactivity of this atom based on its electron configuration?
Explanation
The chemist's study of the atom with an atomic number of 18, identified as a noble gas, leads to the conclusion that it will not react significantly in a non-reactive environment due to its filled outer electron shell, indicating a stable configuration. Options suggesting reactivity are incorrect as they misinterpret the properties of noble gases.
Question 9
A physicist measures the mass and charge of an atom with the chemical symbol 'Li'. She notes that lithium has 3 protons and 4 neutrons in its nucleus. During her experiment, she also takes into account that lithium has 3 electrons surrounding the nucleus. Question: What is the total nuclear charge of this lithium atom?
Explanation
In this scenario, the nuclear charge of lithium is solely determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. Since lithium has 3 protons, it has a nuclear charge of +3. The options involving neutrons or electrons are correct in their counts but incorrect in the context of nuclear charge definition.
Question 10
During a research project, a group of graduate students is studying isotopes of carbon. They find that the most prevalent isotope has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, while another isotope they examine contains 6 protons but 8 neutrons. They are tasked with presenting the differences in stability and applications of these isotopes. Question: What factor most significantly influences the stability of these isotopes?
Explanation
The students' focus on isotopes reveals that the neutron-to-proton ratio is critical for stability, especially as it impacts the balance of nuclear forces. For instance, the isotope with 6 protons and 8 neutrons (carbon-14) is less stable than the one with equal numbers of protons and neutrons (carbon-12). Other options misinterpret the factors influencing nuclear stability.