Chemistry: Stability of Atomic Orbitals

[Kam Candy]

Hey just need help regarding a few questions.

1. Which is more stable, C 2s or C 2p? Why? Choose the best answers from below:
(a)higher shielding (b) lower shielding (c) lower n value (d) lower l value

2. Which is more stable, Ar 5p or Ar+ 5p? Why? Choose the best answers from below:
(a)higher shielding (b) lower shielding (c) lower n value (d) lower l value

3. Which is more stable, Ar 4s or Ar 5s? Why? Choose the best answers from below:
(a)higher shielding (b) lower shielding (c) lower n value (d) lower l value

So does higher shielding means the valance electron are less tightly held by the nucleus? Hence unstable? What does n and l has to do with these questions?

 

[eli64]

I would think higher shielding meant closer to the nucleus and so held MORE tightly, but not 100% on that.

n and l would be along the same idea. The lower n or l would mean closer to the nucleus and this would be an electron held more tightly

 

[Snazzy]

N refers to the energy level, and l would refer to the magnetic quantum number, i.e. what kind of orbital it is in (s, p, d, f, etc). l = 0 = s orbital, l = 1 = p orbital, and so on.

 

[opuktun]

So does higher shielding means the valance electron are less tightly held by the nucleus? Hence unstable? What does n and l has to do with these questions?

Higher shielding probably means "higher shielding effect", i.e. inner electrons...

n describes the location and energy of the electrons

l describes the shape... s which is spherical? p which is dumbbell?

Try drawing the atomic orbitals to aid your quest.