Electron Configuration Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Atoms

Study Notes

Chemical Bonding

Atoms tend to combine to attain stable electronic configurations, which leads to reactivity.
Inert gases have stable electronic configurations, making them chemically inactive.

Types of Chemical Bonding

Atoms combine to form molecules through chemical bonding, involving the distribution of electrons to attain stable configurations.
There are three ways atoms attain stable configurations through chemical combination: • Electron transfer • Electron sharing • Electron sharing, where one atom provides both electrons

Ionic Bonding

Ionic bonds are formed by the complete transfer of one or more electrons from one element to another.
Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl) formation, where an ionic bond is formed between sodium and chlorine atoms.
Properties of ionic compounds: • Hard, crystalline, and brittle solids • High melting and boiling points • High density • Soluble in water, but insoluble in organic solvents • Good conductors of electricity in molten state and aqueous solution

Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms to attain stable configurations.
Example: Chlorine molecule formation, where a covalent bond is formed between two chlorine atoms.
Properties of covalent compounds: • Made of non-polar molecules (electron pairs shared equally) • Generally liquids or gases • Low melting and boiling points • Less density and lighter than water • Soluble in organic solvents, insoluble in water • Bad conductors of electricity

Ions and Electrochemical Reactions

An ion is an electrically charged atom or group of atoms, formed by gaining or losing electrons.
Cations: positively charged ions formed by losing electrons
Anions: negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons
Oxidation: process of losing electrons
Reduction: process of gaining electrons
Oxidation and reduction always occur together, with an oxidizing agent accepting electrons and a reducing agent donating electrons.

Description

Test your knowledge about the stability of atoms, electronic configurations, reactivity, and the tendency of atoms to combine. Learn about the concept of inert gases and how atoms strive to achieve stable electronic configurations.