Introduction to Chemistry

Concept: Electronic Configuration

 The arrangement of electrons in the various shells/orbits/energy levels of an
atom of the element is known as electronic configuration.
 Maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell is given by
2n2 where n = shell number
 For 1st energy level, n = 1. Maximum number of electrons in 1st energy level =
2n2=2 x (1)2 = 2
 For 2nd energy level n = 2. Maximum number of electrons in 2nd energy level =
2n2=2 x (2)2 = 2 x 4 = 8
 For 3rd energy level n = 3. Maximum number of electrons in 3rd energy level =
2n2= 2 x (3)2= 2 x 9 = 18
 For 4th energy level n = 4. Maximum number of electrons in 4th energy level =
2n2= 2 x (4)2= 2 x 16 = 32

Shell No. Electron Shell Maximum Capacity

1 K Shell 2 electrons

2 L Shell 8 electrons

3 M Shell 18 electrons

4 N Shell 32 electrons

 Outermost shell of an atom cannot accommodate more than 8 electrons, even if

it has a capacity to accommodate more electrons. This is a very important rule
and is also called the Octet rule. The presence of 8 electrons in the outermost
shell makes the atom very stable.
Electronic Configuration of 1 – 20 elements
Achieving Complete Octet

If the outermost shell of an atom has a total of 8 electrons then the atom is said to have attained a
complete octet. An atom has to gain, lose or share a particular number of electrons from its
outermost orbit to obtain complete octet. Therefore, a capacity of an atom is the total number of
electrons gained, lost, or shared to complete its octet arrangement in the outermost atom. This
capacity of an atom will also determine the valency of an atom.

For instance, hydrogen has 1 electron in its outermost orbit so it needs to lose 1 electron to attain
stability or octet. Thus, the valency of hydrogen is 1. Similarly, magnesium has 2 electrons in its
outermost orbit and it needs to lose them to attain octet and obtain stability. Therefore, the valency
of magnesium is 2.

Stability is also determined by the ability of atoms to gain electrons. For instance, Fluorine has 7
electrons in its outermost orbit. It is difficult to lose 7 electrons but it is easy to gain one electron.
Thus, it will gain one electron to obtain octet so the valency of fluorine is 1.

Examples of Valency

1. Valency of Sodium

The atomic number of sodium is 11 (Z=11). The electronic configuration of sodium can be written
as 2, 8, 1. 2, 8, 1 electrons are distributed in the shells K, L, M respectively. Therefore, valence
electron in sodium is 1 and it needs to lose 1 electron from the outermost orbit to attain
octet. Hence, the valency of sodium is 1.

2. Valency of Chlorine

The atomic number of chlorine is 17 (Z=17). The electronic configuration of chlorine can be written
as 2, 8, 7. 2, 8, 7 electrons are distributed in the shells K, L, M respectively. Therefore, valence
electron in chlorine is 7 and it needs to gain 1 electron from the outermost orbit to attain
octet. Hence, the valency of chlorine is 1.
 Concept: Valency and Radicals

RADICALS

 An atom or a group of atoms which work as a single unit, but cannot exist
independently are known as radicals. They can retain their identities in a
chemical reaction.
 An atom or a group of atoms with at least one unpaired electron.
 A group of atoms that behaves as a unit in chemical reactions and is
often not stable except as part of a molecule.

S.no Radicals Symbol/Formulae

1. Chloride Cl

2. Bromide Br

3. Iodide I

4. Fluoride F

5. Hydroxide OH

6. Bicarbonate HCO3

7. Nitrate NO3

8. Nitrite NO2

9. Ammonium NH4

10. Oxide O

11. Sulphide S

12. Sulphate SO4

13. Sulphite SO3

14. carbonate CO3

15. Nitride N

16. phosphate PO4

VALENCY

 The combining capacity of an atom or radical with other atoms is called its
valency.

 It can be defined as the number of electrons that an atom may lose or gain
during a chemical reaction or the number of electrons shared.

 Atoms with valency one are called univalent, with valency two – bivalent and
with valency three - trivalent.

Univalent Bivalent Trivalent

atom/radicals atom/radicals atom/radicals

H1 Mg2 Al3

Na1 Ca2 (PO4)3

K1 Fe2 N3

F1 Cu2

Cl1 Zn2

Br1 Ba2

I1 O2

(OH)1 S2

(NO3)1 (SO4)2

(NO2)1 (SO3)2

(HCO3)1 (CO3)2

(NH4)1