Biochemistry 2

FUNDAMENTALS
Periodic Properties
and Atomic Structure
AUSOM
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Summary
The Periodic Law and Table. The properties of elements tend to
repeat in a regular (periodic) way when the elements are arranged
in order of increasing atomic numbers. This periodic law is the basis
of the arrangement of elements called the periodic table in which an
element belongs to a vertical grouping called a group or family, and
a horizontal grouping called a period. All elements in a group or
family tend to have similar chemical properties.
Electronic Arrangements in Atoms. Niels Bohr proposed a theory
for electronic arrangements in atoms based on the idea that the
electrons of atoms move around atomic nuclei in fixed circular orbits.
Electrons change orbits only when they absorb or release energy.
The Bohr model was modified as a result of continued research. It
was found that precise Bohr orbits for electrons could not be
determined. Instead the energy and location of electrons could not
be specified in terms of shells, subshells, and orbitals which are
indicated by a notation of numbers and letters.

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 The Shell Model and Elemental Properties. The modified Bohr

model or shell model of electronic structure provides an explanation
for the periodic law. The rules governing electron occupancy in
shells, subshells, and orbitals result in a repeating pattern of valence
shell electron arrangements. Elements with similar chemical
properties turn out to be elements with identical numbers and types
of electrons in their valence shells.
Electronic Configurations. The arrangements of electrons in
orbitals, subshells, and shells are called electronic configurations.
Rules and patterns have been found that allow these configurations
to be represented in a concise way. Written electronic configurations
allow details of individual orbital, subshell, and shell electron
occupancies to be seen readily. Also, the number of unpaired
electrons in elements is easily determined.

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 Other Electronic Configuration Representations. Electronic

configurations can be represented by using noble gas symbols to
represent some of the inner electrons, or by using Lewis structures
in which the valence electrons are represented by dots.
Another Look at the Periodic Table. Correlations between
electronic configurations for the elements and the periodic
arrangements of elements make it possible to determine a number
of details of electronic structure for an element simply on the basis
of the location of the element in the periodic table. Special attention
is given to the last or distinguishing electron in an element.
Elements are classified according to the type of subshell (s,p, etc.)
occupied by this electron. The elements are also classified on the
basis of other properties as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids.

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Formative Assessment

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Question 1
Which of the following elements is
found in the same period as Lithium?
Sodium
Magnesium
Radon
Carbon

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 Carbon

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Question 2
What group VIII element is located at
period 3 on the Periodic Table?
Argon
Helium
Lead
Oxygen

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 Argon

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Question 3
According to the Bohr model for the
atom:
electrons are located in similar orbitals.
electrons have identical energies
protons spin counterclockwise
electrons can only occupy specific orbitals

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 electrons can only occupy specific

orbitals

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Question 4
The maximum number of electrons that
can occupy a 2s subshell is:
2
4
6
8
varies

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Question 5
Which of the following has the same
number of valence electrons as
Sodium?
magnesium
hydrogen
chloride
oxygen
potassium
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 hydrogen, potassium

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Question 6
The total number of unpaired electrons
in carbon is:
0
1
2
3
4

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The end

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