Understanding Shell Electrons and Electron Configuration in Krypton

In summary, shell electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom and determine its chemical properties. The number of shells an atom has depends on its atomic number, with the first shell holding up to 2 electrons, the second shell holding up to 8 electrons, and the third shell holding up to 18 electrons. The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom and plays a crucial role in chemical bonding and determining an atom's reactivity. The number of valence electrons can be determined by looking at the group number on the periodic table or using the electron configuration. In chemical reactions, shell electrons are significant as they determine how atoms interact with one another, resulting in the formation of chemical bonds and new compounds
  • #1
cricket
1
0
I can't make sense out of this question.

Krypton has 36 electrons. How many electrons are in the n = 5 shell?

It's in the 4th period so why are they asking for the 5th shell?
The answer is listed as 4 electrons but how?

2,8,18,8 = 36
so Kr has 8 in the last shell (n=4)
 
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  • #2
4e too is not so formidable coz Kr is in Noble Gas Group so it will have fully filled orbitals.
 
  • #3
and 2 in the penultimate shell (n=3) and 8 in the antepenultimate shell (n=2) and 2 in the first shell (n=1).

Electrons are arranged in shells or energy levels around an atom's nucleus. The shells are labeled with numbers starting from 1 and increasing as you move away from the nucleus. Each shell has a maximum number of electrons it can hold. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons, the third shell can hold up to 18 electrons, and the fourth shell can hold up to 8 electrons.

In the case of Krypton, which has 36 electrons, the first shell (n=1) is filled with 2 electrons, the second shell (n=2) is filled with 8 electrons, the third shell (n=3) is filled with 18 electrons, and the fourth shell (n=4) is filled with 8 electrons.

Now, when we talk about the n=5 shell, we are referring to the fifth energy level or shell, which is the next available shell after the fourth shell. However, in the case of Krypton, the fifth shell (n=5) is not yet filled, as it can hold up to 32 electrons. Therefore, only 4 electrons from the fifth shell are present in Krypton, leaving 28 empty spaces in the fifth shell.

To summarize, Krypton has 36 electrons, with 4 electrons in the n=5 shell, 8 electrons in the n=4 shell, 18 electrons in the n=3 shell, and 2 electrons in the n=1 shell. This follows the pattern of 2, 8, 18, 8, where each shell is filled to its maximum capacity before moving on to the next shell. I hope this helps clarify the concept of electron configuration in Krypton.
 

What are shell electrons?

Shell electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. They are essential to the structure of an atom and determine its chemical properties.

How many shells do atoms have?

The number of shells an atom has depends on its atomic number. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons, and the third shell can hold up to 18 electrons. However, not all atoms have all three shells filled.

What is the valence shell?

The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom. It is involved in chemical bonding and determines the reactivity of an atom. The number of electrons in the valence shell determines the element's position on the periodic table and its chemical properties.

How do you determine the number of valence electrons in an atom?

The number of valence electrons in an atom can be determined by looking at its group number on the periodic table. For example, elements in group 1 have 1 valence electron, elements in group 2 have 2 valence electrons, and so on. Alternatively, you can also use the electron configuration of an atom to determine its valence electrons.

What is the significance of shell electrons in chemical reactions?

Shell electrons play a crucial role in chemical reactions as they determine how atoms interact with one another. Atoms with incomplete outer shells will try to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration, resulting in the formation of chemical bonds and the creation of new compounds.

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