Atomic Structure

• What is meant by an atomic orbital?

  A region around the nucleus for electrons
• What shapes are the s and p orbitals?

  S orbitals are spherical; P orbitals are dumbbell-shaped
• How many electrons can the first shell hold?

  Up to 2 electrons
• How many electrons can the second shell hold?

  Up to 8 electrons
• How many electrons can the third shell hold?

  Up to 18 electrons
• How many electrons can the fourth shell hold?

  Up to 32 electrons
• What happens to the energy of shells as you move further from the nucleus?

  The energy of the shells increases
• What is the principal quantum number for the first shell?

  1
• What is the principal quantum number for the second shell?

  2
• What is the principal quantum number for the third shell?

  3
• What is the principal quantum number for the fourth shell?

  4
• How do you calculate the maximum number of electrons in a shell?

  Use the equation 2 times N squared
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the first shell?

  $2 \times 1^2 =$$2$
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the second shell?

  $2 \times 2^2 =$$8$
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the third shell?

  $2 \times 3^2 =$$18$
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the fourth shell?

  $2 \times 4^2 =$$32$
• What is an atomic orbital?

  A region that can hold up to two electrons
• What must be true about two electrons in the same orbital?

  They must have opposite spins
• What are the two types of electron spins?

  Up spin and down spin
• How is an electron viewed at A-level compared to GCSE?

  As a cloud of negative charge
• What does the atomic orbital show regarding electron location?

  95% probability of where an electron exists
• What are the types of atomic orbitals?

  S, P, D, and F orbitals
• What is the shape of the S orbital?

  Spherical
• How many S orbitals are in every electron shell?

  One S orbital
• How many P orbitals are there in each shell except the first?

  Three P orbitals
• What is the shape of the P orbitals?

  Dumbbell-shaped
• How many D orbitals are there?

  Five D orbitals
• How many F orbitals are there?

  Seven F orbitals
• In which shells do F orbitals appear?

  In shells four and above
• What is a subshell in atomic structure?

  • All orbitals of the same type in a shell
  • Examples: 1s, 2p, 3d subshells
• What does the AQA exam board refer to subshells as?

  Sub levels
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the first shell?

  2 electrons
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the second shell?

  8 electrons
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the third shell?

  18 electrons
• What is the maximum number of electrons in the fourth shell?

  32 electrons
• What is the relationship between atomic orbitals and electron shells?

  Electrons in shells are found in orbitals
• What is the significance of the atomic orbital in terms of electron location?

  It shows the probability of electron presence
• How do the shapes of orbitals affect electron behavior?

  They determine the probability distribution of electrons
• Why is it important to understand the concept of atomic orbitals?

  It helps explain electron arrangement in atoms
• What is the role of the principal quantum number?

  It indicates the shell's energy level