Is an orbital completely filled before electrons fill the next outer orbital? I was told by another teacher that there were two electrons in the first orbital and then 8 in every other one, is this true?
I need this simple because I will be teaching it to 8th graders. I don't know how to explain electron config. simply and without formulas!
2007-09-25 13:16:41 · 2 answers · asked by sarah13star 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
What you seek is Hundt's rule: That as electrons fill orbitals, they space themselves from one another as long as possible until they must start pairing up. For example, in B, the configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p1. No problem, because a p-orbital is the only place to go. In C, 1s2 2s2 2p1 2p1. The electrons are not in the same p-orbital. In N, 1s2 2s2 2p1 2p1 2p1. But when you get to O, 1s2 2s2 2p2 2p1 2p1. The electrons must start pairing up in that 2p-orbital. Like- charged electrons repel one another.
Don't get that mixed up with the K, L, M... shells with their 2-8-8-18 stuff.
2007-09-25 13:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you get the same number of electrons you do protons and if your teaching you should have a chart with the elements and have the diagram of the atom. peace!
2007-09-25 13:23:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋