Electronic structure Flashcards – AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Higher

How do you determine the number of electrons in a neutral atom?

It equals the atom’s atomic number.

How are electrons placed in shells when constructing the electronic structure of a neutral atom among the first twenty elements?

Fill the shells in order, placing up to 2, 8, 8, then 2 electrons in the first through fourth shells. Stop when all electrons are placed.

Can the third electron shell hold more than eight electrons?

Yes. It can hold more than eight, although for the first twenty elements the fourth shell starts filling after the third contains eight.

What are two ways to represent an atom’s electronic structure?

Write the electron counts in shell order, or draw the electrons on concentric shells.