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 valence electrons in an atom. It accounts for the actual nuclear charge (the number of protons) minus the shielding effect of core electrons. This concept is crucial for understanding how strongly valence electrons are attracted to the nucleus, influencing atomic size and ionization energy.
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Shielding Effect
The shielding effect refers to the phenomenon where inner (core) electrons reduce the full nuclear charge felt by outer (valence) electrons. Each core electron can effectively 'block' some of the positive charge from the nucleus, leading to a lower Z_eff for valence electrons. This concept is essential for predicting trends in atomic properties across the periodic table.
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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 effective nuclear charge, understanding how many valence electrons an atom has and how they interact with core electrons is vital for predicting the atom's behavior in chemical reactions and its overall stability.
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Transition Metals Valence Electrons