Question 1

What is the Bohr Model?

Accepted Answer

A model of the atom, with a nucleus containing protons/neutrons, and shells containing electrons

Electrons orbit the nucleus in those shells

Question 2

What are electron shells?

Accepted Answer

An orbit around an atom's nucleus, each of which has a different energy level

(closest shell is the 1n shell, second is the 2n shell, etc.)

Question 3

How would an electron change its shell?

Accepted Answer

It would have to absorb/release energy

(absorbing=higher shell; releasing=lower shell)

Question 4

Why are inner shells filled before outer shells?

Accepted Answer

Atoms prefer to have the lowest-energy and most stable configuration

Inner shells have less energy than outer shells

Question 5

What is the valence shell?

Accepted Answer

The outermost shell of an atom, filled with valence electrons

Question 6

What are valence electrons?

Accepted Answer

The outermost electrons in an atom, found in the valence shell

Question 7

What is the octet rule?

Accepted Answer

The tendency of atoms to prefer having eight electrons in their valence shell

(atoms with < 8 valence electrons react to become more stable; )

Question 8

How do you determine the number of valence electrons from the periodic table?

Accepted Answer

Look at the group number, ignoring the transition metals

Question 9

What are core electrons?

Accepted Answer

Electrons that are not valence electrons

(everything not in the outermost shell)

Question 10

What are electron orbitals?

Accepted Answer

Regions of space around the nucleus that specific electrons are usually found in

Electrons don't orbit like planets, and are usually found in more vague patterns

(1s, 2s, 2p 3s, 3p,4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p)

Question 11

What are subshells?

Accepted Answer

Sets of electron orbitals with similar shapes that are found in certain electron shells

(designated by s, p, d, and f; each letter indicates a different shape)

Question 12

What is electronic configuration?

Accepted Answer

A representation of how electrons are arranged in an atom

(oxygen: )

Question 13

What is Coulomb's law?

Accepted Answer

The closer and more charged two forces (like electrons and protons) are, the more attracted they will be to each other

Atomic Structure and Electron Configuration, AP Chemistry Flashcards