A Level Chemistry Revision "Electron Configuration and the Periodic Table"

Summary

This video from the 'Three Science' series explores the correlation between an element's electron configuration and its position in the periodic table. It explains how scientists categorize elements into S, P, D, and F blocks based on the subshell of their highest energy electron. Using silicon as an example, the video demonstrates how to verify electron configurations by aligning them with an element's position in the periodic table. Special attention is given to the d-block, where the 4s subshell fills before the 3d, exemplified with nickel's electron configuration.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The periodic table is divided into blocks named after the subshell containing the highest energy electron for elements in that block.
• 📚 There are four blocks: S, P, D, and F, each corresponding to the type of subshell where the highest energy electron is found.
• 🌐 The S block includes elements where the highest energy electron is in an S subshell.
• 🔵 The P block includes elements where the highest energy electron is in a P subshell.
• 🟠 The D block includes elements where the highest energy electron is in a D subshell.
• 🟣 The F block includes elements where the highest energy electron is in an F subshell, but it's not used in this video.
• 🔍 Electron configurations can be verified using the periodic table by checking the position of an element and the subshells filled.
• 💡 Silicon is used as an example with 14 electrons, and its electron configuration is confirmed by its position in the periodic table.
• ⚠️ Caution is advised when using the periodic table for electron configurations due to the complexity introduced by the d-block.
• 🎓 The first row of the d-block represents electrons in the d subshell of the third electron shell, with the 4s subshell filling before the 3d subshell.
• 🌰 Nickel is given as an example with 28 electrons, and its electron configuration is explained in relation to its position in the periodic table.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining the link between the electron configuration of an element and its position in the periodic table.

How are the elements in the periodic table divided into blocks?

The elements in the periodic table are divided into blocks named after the subshell containing the highest energy electron for the elements in that block.

What are the different blocks in the periodic table?

The blocks in the periodic table include the S block, P block, D block, and F block.

Which block is not used in the video?

The F block is not used in the video.

How can the blocks in the periodic table help verify an electron configuration?

The blocks can be used to check if an electron configuration is correct by comparing the subshells filled with electrons to the position of the element in the periodic table.

What is the electron configuration of silicon as discussed in the video?

The electron configuration of silicon is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p².

Why is it important to be careful when using the periodic table to check electron configurations?

It's important to be careful because of the d-block, where the first row represents the electrons in the d subshell of the third electron shell, and the 4s subshell fills before the 3d subshell.

What is the electron configuration of nickel as an example in the video?

The electron configuration of nickel is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁸ 4s¹.

How does the video demonstrate the electron configuration of nickel using the periodic table?

The video demonstrates the electron configuration of nickel by showing the subshells filling with electrons and aligning them with the position of nickel in the periodic table.

What is the significance of the 3d subshell in relation to the electron configuration of elements in the d-block?

The 3d subshell is significant because it is part of the d-block, and the first row of the d-block represents the electrons in the d subshell of the third electron shell.

What is the next topic to be covered in the series after this video?

The next video will cover how to write the shorthand electron configuration of elements.