ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM (AP)

7/75 on multiple choice each year. Free response- almost every year.
Fact: The atomic mass number will give you the atomic mass for the mist abundant isotope of an
atom. EX: Carbon has an atomic mass NUMBER of 12g/ mole therefore, the most abundant
form of carbon is 12C.
Fact: The horizontal rows on the periodic table are called PERIODS.
Fact: The vertical columns on the periodic table are called GROUPS.
Quantum Numbers: represent the positions of the electrons in an atom relative to their distance
from the nucleus. Each electron has 4 quantum numbers
N: The principle energy level or the principle energy shell (0-7). The lower the
"n"number the lower the energy of the electron.
L: The angular momentum quantum number or sublevel or the subshell (0-3)
Ml: The magnetic quantum number or the orbital which describes the third dimension of
the electron in space. It refers to the X, Y, or Z plane of the orbital. (,-1,0,1,)
Fact: the electrons fill the mlfrom the most negative (-) to the most positive (+)
Ms: The spin on the electron ( +1/2, -1/2)
FACT: the electrons assume the positive spin first in any orbital.
Rules For Filling Orbitals ( Defining Quantum Numbers)
1. Pauli Exclusion Principle: no two electrons within an atom may have the
same set of quantum numbers therefore; electrons in the same orbitals
must have opposite spins.
2. Hunds Rule: Electrons will occupy orbitals within the same sublevel as
single electrons until all orbitals contain one electron. At that time pairing
will begin with opposite spins. By convention, electrons are indicated as a
+1/2 spin first.
3. The Aufbau Principle: Electrons enter orbitals with the lowest energy
first.
Names And Theories You Should Know!
1. The Quantum Theory: Max Planck determined the energy in the
electromagnetic spectrum is quantized. For any given frequency of light
(radiation), all possible energies are multiples of a certain unit of energy called a
quantum. E=hv. So, energy changes do not occur smoothly, but in small and
specific steps.
2. The energy of an electron:
E= -2.178 X 10-18 Joules
N2
Where, E= the energy of the electron
N+ the principle quantum number (0-7)
3. Energy and Electromagnetic Radiation (light): When atoms absorb energy in
the form of electromagnetic radiation, electrons jump to higher energy levels.
When electrons drop from higher to lower energy levels, atoms give off energy in
the form of electromagnetic radiation. The relationship between the change in

energy level of an electron and the electromagnetic radiation absorbed or emitted

is:
E= hf = hc

Where E= energy change

H= Planks constant, 6.63 X 10-34 joule- sec
F= Frequency of the radiation
= wavelength of the radiation
c= speed of light, 3.00X108 m/sec (c=f)
The energy level changes for the electrons of a particular atom are always the
same, so atoms can be identified by their emission and absorption spectra.
4. Diamagnetism and paramagnetism elements:
A. Diamagnetic elements have all of their electrons paired within the orbitals.
Diamagnetic elements have all of their subshells completed. They are not
affected by magnetic fields.
Ie: Helium, Beryllium, Neon
B. Paramagnetic elements do not have all their electrons paired. They are
strongly affected by magnetic fields.
C. General rule for molecules: Paramagnetic molecules are affected by
magnetic fields, diamagnetic molecules are not.
5. The Bohr Model: Neils Bohr took the quantum theory and used it to predict that
electrons orbit the nucleus at specific fixed radii. This only works for hydrogen
and small ions.
6. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Priniciple: Werner Heisenbarg claimed it was
impossible to know the position and momentum of an electron at any moment.
Therefore, the Bohr model orbitals are actually a probability function describing
the possibility that an electron will be found in a region of space.
7. The de Broglie hypothesis: All matter has wave characteristics. There is a simple
relationship between an electrons wave and particle characteristics.
= h / mv
where, = wavelength associated with a particle
m = mass of the particle
v = p = momentum of the particle
h = Plancks constant 6.63 x 10-34
8. Periodic Trends: To understand atoms and their electrons, follow these three
basic periodic trends:
A. Electrons are attracted to the protons in the nucleus.
1. The closer an electron is to the nucleus, the more strongly it is
attracted to the nucleus.

2. The more protons in the nucleus, the more strongly electrons are
attracted to the nucleus.
B. In an atom, electrons repel other electrons. If there are electrons between
the nucleus and the valence electrons, the valence electrons will be less
attracted to the nucleus due to electron shielding by the internal electrons.
C. Completed principle energy shells (and to a lesser extent, completed
subshells) are very stable. Atoms prefer to add or subtract electrons to
create complete shells if possible.
9. Electronegativity: The attractive force exerted by the nucleus on its valence
electrons. Electronegativity increases up and across from left to right on the
period table.
10. Ionization energy: The energy required to remove a valence electron from an
atom is called the first ionization energy. Once an electron has been removed, the
atom is a positively charged ion. The energy required to remove the next electron
from the ion is called the second ionization energy, and so on. This is due to the
decreased electron-electron repulsion which allows the electrons to move closer to
the nucleus thereby, increasing the attractive forces of the nucleus and the
ionization energy. Ionization energy increases as you go up and across from left to
right on the period table. Remember, as you go down any group on the periodic
table, you increase the electron shielding which decreases the ionization energy.
11. Electron Affinity: This is a measure of the change of energy of an atom when an
electron is added to it. If the addition of an electron yields a more stable atom,
energy is released. If the addition of an electron yields a less stable atom, energy
is absorbed because the electron must be placed in a higher energy level. The
energy given off increases as you move from left to right on the period stable. The
electron affinity increases as you move from left to right especially as you
approach the nonmetals.
12. Atomic Radius: Due to ionization energies, electron shielding, etc., atomic radius
increases from top to bottom and right to left on the period table.