Question 58 of 62intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

The bromine atom possesses 35 electrons. It contains 6 electrons in 2p orbital, 6 electrons in 3p orbital and 5 electron in 4p orbital. Which of these electron experiences the lowest effective nuclear charge?

Correct Answer

The electron in the 4p4p orbital experiences the lowest effective nuclear charge.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 2.63 | (Page 41)
For More Understanding

Explanation

Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by an electron in a multi-electron atom. It decreases as we move to higher principal quantum numbers because the inner electrons shield the outer electrons from the full nuclear charge. In the bromine atom, the 4p4p orbital has the highest principal quantum number (n=4n=4) compared to 2p2p (n=2n=2) and 3p3p (n=3n=3). Therefore, the 4p4p electrons are farthest from the nucleus and are shielded by the maximum number of inner electrons, experiencing the lowest effective nuclear charge.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Identify the principal quantum numbers for the given orbitals: 2p2p has n=2n=2, 3p3p has n=3n=3, and 4p4p has n=4n=4.

  2. Step 2: Understand that effective nuclear charge decreases with increasing distance from the nucleus and increasing shielding by inner electrons.

  3. Step 3: Conclude that the 4p4p electron, having the highest nn value and being in the outermost shell, experiences the maximum shielding and thus the lowest effective nuclear charge.

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