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Ch.8 - Periodic Properties of the Elements
Chapter 8, Problem 59a

If core electrons completely shielded valence electrons from nuclear charge (i.e., if each core electron reduced nuclear charge by 1 unit) and if valence electrons did not shield one another from nuclear charge at all, what would be the effective nuclear charge experienced by the valence electrons of each atom? a. K

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Effective Nuclear Charge (Z_eff)

Effective nuclear charge (Z_eff) is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in a multi-electron atom. It accounts for the actual nuclear charge (Z) minus the shielding effect of inner (core) electrons. In this scenario, if core electrons shield the valence electrons completely, Z_eff would equal the number of protons minus the number of core electrons.
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Shielding Effect

The shielding effect refers to the phenomenon where inner shell electrons reduce the full nuclear charge felt by outer shell (valence) electrons. This occurs because the inner electrons repel the valence electrons, effectively 'shielding' them from the nucleus. In the given question, it is assumed that core electrons shield valence electrons completely, simplifying the calculation of Z_eff.
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Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are primarily responsible for chemical bonding and reactivity. In the context of the question, understanding how valence electrons interact with the nucleus and are influenced by core electrons is crucial for determining the effective nuclear charge they experience. For potassium (K), which has 19 protons and 18 core electrons, the valence electron's experience of nuclear charge can be calculated directly.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

According to Coulomb's law, rank the interactions between charged particles from lowest potential energy to highest potential energy. a. a 1+ charge and a 1- charge separated by 100 pm b. a 2+ charge and a 1- charge separated by 100 pm c. a 1+ charge and a 1+ charge separated by 100 pm d. a 1+ charge and a 1- charge separated by 200 pm

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Textbook Question

Which experience a greater effective nuclear charge: the valence electrons in beryllium or the valence electrons in nitrogen? Why?

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Textbook Question

Arrange the atoms according to decreasing effective nuclear charge experienced by their valence electrons: S, Mg, Al, Si.

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Textbook Question

If core electrons completely shielded valence electrons from nuclear charge (i.e., if each core electron reduced nuclear charge by 1 unit) and if valence electrons did not shield one another from nuclear charge at all, what would be the effective nuclear charge experienced by the valence electrons of each atom? b. Ca

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Textbook Question

In Section 3.6, we estimated the effective nuclear charge on beryllium's valence electrons to be slightly greater than 2+. What would a similar treatment predict for the effective nuclear charge on boron's valence electrons? Would you expect the effective nuclear charge to be different for boron's 2s electrons compared to its 2p electron? In what way? (Hint: Consider the shape of the 2p orbital compared to that of the 2s orbital.)

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Textbook Question

Choose the larger atom in each pair. a. Al or In b. Si or N c. P or Pb d. Si or Cl

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