Electronic configuration and orbitalsEdexcel A-Level Chemistry: Mind map

Exam questions on Electronic configuration and orbitals

1. A student is revising the electronic configurations of atoms and ions of elements up to atomic number 36, using the periodic table to help her.
   Write the electronic configuration of an iron atom (Z = 26) in 1s notation and deduce the number of unpaired electrons it contains.2 marks
2. The first ionisation energies of four successive elements, in kJ mol⁻¹, are: lithium 520, beryllium 900, boron 801 and carbon 1086.
   Explain why the first ionisation energy of boron is lower than that of beryllium.2 marks
3. Nitrogen has atomic number 7. Its atoms have electrons in s and p orbitals.
   Describe the shape of an s orbital and the shape of a p orbital, and state how many electrons an orbital can hold.3 marks