Electronic structure refers to the arrangement of electrons in an atom or molecule. It determines the chemical and physical properties of the atom or molecule.
The electronic structure of an atom determines its position in the periodic table. The number of electrons in an atom's outermost energy level (valence electrons) determines its group, while the number of energy levels determines its period.
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom. They are involved in chemical bonding and determining the reactivity of an atom. Core electrons are all other electrons in an atom, and they are not involved in chemical bonding.
The electronic structure of a material determines its electrical, magnetic, and optical properties. For example, materials with a high number of free electrons (such as metals) tend to be good conductors of electricity, while materials with a lower number of free electrons (such as insulators) are poor conductors.
Yes, electronic structure can be altered through chemical reactions or physical processes such as excitation or ionization. These changes can result in different properties and behavior of the atom or molecule.