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Programme 17: Atomic Structure Programme Questions: Activity Sheet 3
Electron Arrangement This activity is available in fully printable PDF format by clicking here. You will be given a sheet showing the electron shells of the first 20 atoms. On each picture add the: - name of the element
- atomic number
- electrons in each shell
Start with hydrogen and work up to argon. Cut out each rectangle and stick them one at a time to a sheet of A4. You have made your own simple periodic table showing how the electrons are arranged in the first 20 atoms. Answer the following questions using your chart to help you: - When two atoms meet and react, which parts of the atoms will touch first?
- How many electrons are there in the outer shell of lithium and sodium?
- How many electrons are in the outer shell of fluorine and chlorine?
Lithium and sodium have very similar chemical properties: they are both soft metals that react with water and oxygen. Fluorine and chlorine also have similar properties. They are both reactive non-metals. What do you think the link is between the number of electrons in the outer shell of an atom and how the atom behaves? 2. What is special about the number of electrons in the outer shells of helium, neon and argon? The vertical columns in the periodic table are called Groups. They are numbered 1 to 7 from the left and the last group is numbered 0. What is the link between the group number and the number of electrons in the outer shell? Are there any exceptions to this pattern. 4. Find two properties that the elements in Group 0 have in common. 5. Try and explain in your own words why chemists might be so interested in the number of electrons in the outer shell of an atom.
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