Atomic Structure and Bonding Flashcards

What is the charge of a neutron?

Answer: 0

Neutrons carry no electrical charge; they are electrically neutral particles in the nucleus.

Which element has the electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹?

Answer: Sodium

Sodium (Na) has atomic number 11, and its electron configuration ends with one electron in the 3s subshell.

What does the octet rule state?

Answer: Atoms are most stable with 8 valence electrons

The octet rule states that atoms tend to bond in ways that give them 8 valence electrons, achieving noble gas stability.

Which of the following best describes a nonpolar covalent bond?

Answer: Electrons are equally shared between atoms

Nonpolar covalent bonds form when two atoms of equal electronegativity share electrons equally.

Rutherford's gold foil experiment proved that atoms have a:

Answer: Small, dense, positively charged nucleus

When alpha particles deflected at large angles, Rutherford concluded the atom has a small, dense, positive nucleus.

How many valence electrons does oxygen have?

Answer: 6

Oxygen (atomic number 8) has the configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁴, giving it 6 valence electrons in the second shell.

Which type of intermolecular force is responsible for the high boiling point of water?

Answer: Hydrogen bonding

Water's unusually high boiling point results from strong hydrogen bonds between its polar O–H groups.