A neutral sodium atom (atomic number 11) has the ground-state electron configuration

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Atomic Structure and Properties · Atomic Structure and Properties

Problem

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1

. Consider the electrons located in the

1s

2p

, and

3s

subshells of this atom. (a) Rank the magnitude of the electrostatic attraction exerted by the nucleus on an electron in each of the three subshells from greatest to least. Clearly indicate any ties, if present. (b) Provide a detailed explanation for the ranking you gave in part (a), referring to both the relative average distances of the electrons from the nucleus and any shielding effects involved. (c) The first and third ionization energies of sodium are

496\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

and

4560\,\text{kJ mol}^{-1}

, respectively. Describe how the ranking you obtained in part (a) helps explain the large difference between these two energies.

Related theory

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