In the space below, duplicate the electron energy level diagram to the 4p level.

Question

In the space below, duplicate the electron energy level diagram to the 4p level. Use up (uparrow) and down (downarrow) arrows to show the configuration of electrons for the ground state of a neutral chlorine atom, Cl. Then answer the following questions about chlorine: a) Write the shorthand configuration. b) How many of the electrons are valence electrons? c) If chlorine were to form a negative ion by gaining valence electrons, what charge would result? (Include both the number and sign of the charge.) d) Would you expect the ion to be larger or smaller in volume than the neutral atom? Why?

Explanation / Answer

(a)

Shorthand elec. configuration for Chlorine is:

[Ne] 3s2 3p5

(b)

There are total 7 valence electrons (2+5)

(c)

The Cl atom can gain a single valence electron to attain the stable valece configuration of 3s2 3p6

This produces a net charge of -1 on the Cl-atom

(d)

Since the ion is negatively charged, this means a larger repulsion than in the neutral atom, so the ion is larger than the atom.

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