Lecture 5 Summary (9/19/16)

Periodic Table: table displaying all of the elements

-

Properties of elements vary periodically, which gives rise to the structure

of the table
Table is organized into groups (columns) and periods (rows)

Atoms can be:

-

A neutral atom
A cation: remove an electron or electrons to make it positively charged
An anion: add electron(s) to make it negatively charged

Ionization energy: minimum energy needed to remove an electron

-

Can refer to 1st, 2nd, 3rd ionization energy

Electrons are organized into shells

How is this finding supported by the periodic trends in ionization energy?
Why are electrons in outer shells easier to remove?

Electron affinity: After adding an electron, electron affinity refers to the amount of
energy needed to take it back off.
-

Aka, the change in energy when an atom gains an electron, or when that
negative ion loses one

Which elements have greater electron affinities?

Electronegativity: describes the tendency for an element to attract electrons

-

Can think of it as how much an element likes electrons, so to speak

Calculated based on both the ionization energy and the electron affinity
Doesnt have units

Bonds:
-

Ionic: complete transfer of an electron

o If there is a difference in electronegativity of 1.7 or greater between
the atoms that are bonding, it is likely ionic. There are molecules
which are covalent that have larger electronegativity differences
and there are some ionic compounds that have smaller
electronegativity differences, but in general this is true.
Covalent: sharing of electrons
o Remember that there is a bit of a gray area between these two
things

Lewis Dot Structure: method of representing atoms, bonds, and lone pairs
-

Focuses on valence electrons (electrons in outermost shell)

Formal Charge: representation of charge of an atom in a molecule, usually based

on Lewis diagrams
-

Can think of it as how much charge an atom gains or loses based on being
part of a molecule
Formula for formal charge is:
FC = (Original # of valence electrons) (# of electrons in lone pairs)
(# electrons in bonds)

How to Draw Correct Lewis Diagrams:

1. Count number of valence electrons
2. Calculate total number of electrons needed for each atom to have a noble
gas conformation
3. Subtract 1. from 2.
4. Start by assigning two bonding electrons to each bond
5. If any electrons from 3. are left over, assign them to double and triple bonds
a. Dont exceed noble gas conformation unless specified!
6. Assign any remaining electrons that arent in bonds to be lone pairs
7. Calculate formal charges
8. If there are multiple possible structures, you should choose the one that:
a. Has the smallest and fewest nonzero formal charges
b. Has negative formal charges on more electronegative atoms