Electron Shielding: Understanding the Role of Orbital Repulsion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of electron shielding, particularly in relation to how inner electrons affect the nuclear charge experienced by outer electrons. Participants explore the implications of shielding in different elements, including transition metals and main group elements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether electron shielding is due to repulsion between electron orbitals and seeks clarification on how inner electrons influence the nuclear charge.
  • Another participant suggests that the concept of effective nuclear charge (Z) is relevant and prompts further reading on the topic.
  • A participant expresses frustration with textbooks that generalize the concept of electron shielding and its effects on ionization energy.
  • One participant confirms that inner electrons do shield outer electrons from the nuclear charge, providing a rough explanation of the shielding effect.
  • A later reply discusses the specific behavior of transition elements, noting that 3d electrons can shield 4s electrons from the nuclear charge due to their energy levels, while also acknowledging potential inaccuracies due to intoxication.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nuances of electron shielding, with some expressing differing views on the adequacy of existing educational resources and the specifics of how shielding operates in various elements.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate limitations in their understanding due to generalizations in textbooks, and there is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the topic that may not be fully addressed in available literature.

Bladibla
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Now this relates to the berylium + Lithium thread i made earlier.. (although not entierly)

Is electron 'shielding' due to replusion between electron orbitals?

http://facultyfp.salisbury.edu/dfrieck/htdocs/212/rev/zeff/shielding.htm

I've had a look at this site, but in somewhat generalizes too much for me. Therfore, can i presume the electrons which occupy the 'inner' orbitals cancel out some of the values of the nuclear charge?
 
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You need to read up more on the topic of effective nuclear charge (Z). Browse through the index of your text.

Why does electronegativity increase as you move across a specific row of the periodict table?
 
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Ill certainly do that, however, it seems to me the textbooks i have (provided from school) generalizes too much, just saying 'electron shielding causes lower ionisation energy...etc'

I just got a new book (which seems good) so ill read through it, however, it would be appreciative to have one here..
 
Bladibla said:
...Therfore, can i presume the electrons which occupy the 'inner' orbitals cancel out some of the values of the nuclear charge?

Roughly speaking, yes, that is what shielding is. The inner electrons "shield" the outer electrons from the field due to the nucleus.
 
It happens in transition elements more often than in main group elements. Basically since electrons fill in the 4s orbital before the 3d the new 3d electrons shield the 4s orbital from the nuclear charge of the nucleus as they are in a lower energy orbital and thus between the 4s orbital and the nucleus. Also I am really drunk so if something was omitted or factually incorrect my bad.
 

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