SCIENCE

9
SECOND QUARTER
Module 1

In Search of
Negatives

LEOZEL JOY M. MACUA

Writer/Illustrator

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Explain how the Quantum Mechanical Model of the atom describes
the energies and positions of the electrons.

SDO – Caloocan City

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

To the Learners
How are you these days? Congratulations on finishing the first quarter lessons.
You are now about to start the next quarter and I want you to be reminded of a few
things so you will successfully finish the task.
1. Read and understand the instructions in every part of this module.
2. Don’t forget to start from the beginning since it may help you comprehend better
as you progress with the tasks.
3. I encourage you to provide a Periodic Table of Elements since we will use it a lot
as our reference.
4. Provide yourself with a notebook so that you can take down notes for future
reference.
5. You are provided with various learning tasks. I hope you will diligently perform
them all and do great with the activities most especially the Post-Test.
6. Ask your parents, guardians, or older siblings to help you assess your work. Also,
as your teacher, I will be more than willing to help you understand this module
in any case you want to contact me.
7. Have fun while learning!

1
 Expectations
Content Standard:

Generally, you are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the development

of atomic models that led to the description of the behavior of electrons within atoms.

Most Essential Learning Competency:

In this module, you are expected to explain how the Quantum Mechanical Model
of the atom describes the energies and positions of the electrons. This means that you
should be able to:

✓ predict the probable location of electron/s in an atom (electron cloud,

Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle);
✓ describe electron configuration and write the correct electron configuration of
given elements;
✓ describe the set of quantum numbers and complete the given set of quantum
numbers for each given element; and
✓ supply the following data from the electron configuration such as period number,
group number, number of paired and unpaired electron/s, number of valence
electron/s, and number of core electrons.

Pre-Test
LET’S SEE WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT ELECTRONS

Direction: Identify the letter of the correct answer. Write it before the number.

____1. Which of the following illustrates the Quantum Mechanical Model of an Atom?
A. B. C. D.

____2. “You cannot tell the exact location of an electron, how exactly it is moving, even
the exact energy it carries”. What do you call this principle?
A. Aufbau Principle C. Pauli Exclusion Principle
B. Hund’s Rule D. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle

____3. What is the correct electron configuration of a Chlorine atom?

A. 1𝑠1 2𝑠2 C. 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝 6 3𝑠2 3𝑝 5
B. 1𝑠1 2𝑠 2 2𝑝 6 3𝑠 3 2𝑝 5 D. 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝 6 3𝑠 3 2𝑝 4

____4. Which of the following sets of quantum numbers IS ALLOWED?

1 1
A. 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + C. 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2 2
1
B. 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = +1; 𝑚𝑠 = −1 D. 𝑛 = 3; 𝑙 = 2; 𝑚𝑙 = −4; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2

2
____5. An atom has an electron configuration of 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝 5. How many valence electrons
does this atom have?
A. 1 B. 3 C. 5 D. 7

Looking Back
FILL ME UP!

Direction: Complete the table below to recall the subatomic particles of an atom.

Sub-atomic Symbol Mass Units Charge Location in the

Particle (amu) Atom
(inside/outside
the nucleus)

proton +1

neutron 1.0087 inside

You can use the choices below for your answers:

-1 0 0.0005 1.0073 electron

e- inside n0 p+ outside

Brief Introduction
This module will take you into a deeper understanding of how electrons behave.
When you were in Grade 8, you learned that electrons are found outside the nucleus as
Rutherford explained in his Planetary Model of an atom. But where exactly do these
electrons can be found outside the nucleus? This question cannot exactly be answered
by the previous models you learned. Am I right?

Have you ever asked yourself why metals like iron glow when exposed to flame?
Why candlewick glow when lit up? Or why do woods turn luminous when being heated?
Well, there must be something with the electrons of such materials. Where did they go?
Perhaps their movement caused such changes.

Electron is believed to behave both as particle and wave. Since the position of
the electrons is hard to explain using planetary model, the Quantum Mechanical Model
of an atom is used.

3
The Quantum Mechanical Model of an Atom
This model also known as Wave
Imagine your friend Andrew is
Mechanical Model describes atom better than running, can you tell his exact
others. It is developed by Louie de Broglie, location and accurate speed at
the same time? It is a bit difficult,
Erwin Schrodinger, and Werner Karl
right? It is not easy to know
Heisenberg. Furthermore, this recent exactly both location and speed.
model describes electrons of an atom Either your friend must stop to
using the Uncertainty Principle. determine his location; however,
his speed becomes zero.

This tells us that no one can tell the exact location

of an electron, how exactly it moves, and even the
exact energy it carries since it behaves as a wave.

The Electron Configuration

Electrons can be located using electron configuration. This describes how
electrons are arranged in atomic orbitals outside the nucleus. The distribution of
electrons starts from the lowest energy level based on the Aufbau Principle.
Let us study the electron configuration of Germanium. There are 32 total
electrons, 28 of which are core electrons (inner energy levels:1-3), and 4 are valence
electrons (outermost energy level: 4). Please use Figure 1 as your guide in filling up the
energy levels and the orbitals.

1s2 no. of electrons in the orbital

2s2 2p6
3s2 3p6 3d10 32Ge: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p2
4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 energy level
5s2 5p6 5d10 5f14 orbital
6s2 6p6 6d10 6f14 valence e- configuration: [Ar] 4s2 4p2

7s2 7p6 7d10 7f14 total #e-: 32 core e-: 28 valence e-: 4
s = 2e- p = 6e- d = 10e- f =14e-
Figure 1 (left) Order of Filling Up Orbitals
Figure 2 (right) Electron Configuration of Germanium
The Quantum Numbers
These refer to a set of values that can tell where a particular electron can be
found. Take note that there are no two electrons that can have the same set according
to the Pauli Exclusion Principle. You can study and check the table below:

Quantum Symbol Values Description

Number
Principal n 1, 2, 3, … Energy level
The radial distance where e- can be found
Azimuthal l 0, 1, 2, Energy sublevel
…(n-1) The shape of the orbital
Values of l and its corresponding orbital:
0–s 1–p 2–d 3–f

1s 2s 2p
Magnetic ml -l to + l The orientation of the orbital in space

Spin
ms −
1
2
or +
1
2
The spin of an electron (clockwise or
counterclockwise)

4
 Activity 1
Objective: Predict the probable location of electron/s in an atom (electron
cloud, Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle)

WHERE DO NEGATIVES HIDE?

(adapted from the Science 9 Learner’s Module)

Materials: one short bond paper, pencil, compass, tape; and ruler

Procedure:

1. Draw a dot at the center of the bond paper.

2. Draw 5 concentric circles around the dot making the radius of each
circle as follow: 1cm; 3cm; 5cm; 7cm; and 9cm respectively.
3. Lay it on the floor using tape so it won’t move.
4. Stand in front of the paper and hold a pencil at your chest level.
5. Drop the pencil repeatedly until you have 50 dots on the paper.
6. Complete the table below. Figure 3 This is how your circles
will look like.
Data

Circle Distance Area The Difference Number of Number of Percentage of

from the of Areas of two Dots in dots per Probability of
Center consecutive each Circle cm2 (E ÷ D) Finding the
circles Dots
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (F) (G)
1 1.0 3.14 25.13
2 2.0 28.27 50.27
3 3.0 78.54 75.40
4 4.0 153.94 100.53
5 5.0 254.47 125.66

Let us think about these:

1. What do you observe with the number of dots in every circle as it moves away from
the center?

2. To complete the table, let’s do some math! To help you with this, let us assume that
there are only 5 dots in Circle 1 as our example.
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒 1 = 𝟓 (answer for E)
𝐸 5
𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = = = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎 (answer for F)
𝐷 25.13
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 = (No. of dots per cm2)
𝑥 100
= 0.1990 𝑥 100 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟗𝟎% (answer for G)

Try it now using an extra paper. Write your answers in the table above.
3. How many dots are there in the area with the highest percentage of probability of
finding the dots?

4. What do you think dots represent?

5. Do you think your results are similar to the distribution of electrons in an atom?
Why did you say so?

5
 Activity 2
Objective: Describe electron configuration and write the correct electron
configuration of the given elements.

Activity 2.1 WHAT’S WITH ELECTRON CONFIGURATION?

Direction: Match Column A with Colum B to describe the parts that makes up
the electron configuration of Argon: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

Column A Column B
____ 1. Coefficient a. 3
____ 2. Exponent b. 3s2 3p6
____ 3. Variable c. energy level
____ 4. Highest energy level d. no. of electrons
____ 5. Valence e- configuration e. orbitals

Activity 2.2 CONFIGURE MY ELECTRONS

Direction: In the spaces below, write the full (unabbreviated) electron

configurations of the following elements:

1. Fluorine 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝 5 _____________________________________

2. Beryllium _______________________________________________
3. Iron _______________________________________________
4. Bromine _______________________________________________
5. Barium _______________________________________________
6. Rubidium _______________________________________________

Direction: In the spaces below, write the Noble Gas (abbreviated) electron
configurations of the following elements:

7. Chlorine [Ne]3𝑠 2 3𝑝 5 ____________________________________

8. Oxygen _______________________________________________
9. Sodium _______________________________________________
10. Magnesium _______________________________________________
11. Radium _______________________________________________
12. Francium _______________________________________________

Activity 3
Objective: Describe the set of quantum numbers and complete the given set
of quantum numbers for each given element.

Activity 3.1 ARE WE ALLOWED TOGETHER OR NOT?

Direction: Identify the set of quantum numbers whether VALID or INVALID.

1
1. 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + ____________________
2
3
2. 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = + _____________________
2
1
3. 𝑛 = 3; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 2; 𝑚𝑠 = + _____________________
2

7
 1
4. 𝑛 = 3; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = − _____________________
2
1
5. 𝑛 = 0; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + _____________________
2

Activity 3.2 MAKE MY SET COMPLETE

Direction: Study the table and box below. The two gives you an idea of what
makes a set of quantum numbers ALLOWED or VALID.

Chemi Electron Orbital Diagram

cal Configurat
Symbol ion Element: Carbon
1H
1
1𝑠 Atomic No.: 6
No. of e-: 6
2He 1𝑠2
e- configuration:1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝2
3Li 1𝑠2 2𝑠1
1
1st e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
4Be
2 2 2
1𝑠 2𝑠
1
2nd e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −
5B 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝1 2

1
6C 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝2 3rd e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2

1
7N 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝3 4th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2

8O 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝4 1

5th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2

9F 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝5 1

6th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2

10Ne 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝6

Remember that for l values:

Orbitals:
- - - -
0-s 1-p 2-d 3-f
s = 2e p = 6e d = 10e f = 14e
Spin: = +2
1
(clockwise) 1
= − 2 (counterclockwise)

Figure 4 Orbital Diagram of First Ten Elements Figure 5 Set of Quantum Numbers for a Carbon Atom

Take note that I presented arrows to you to visualize the spin of each electron and
how they occupy orbitals. Have you noticed any pattern in placing the arrows inside the
boxes? Well, it is governed by Hund’s Rule which states that each orbital should be
filled in individually before doubling it. Do you get what I mean? Let me provide you an
example. Let us take the case of an Oxygen atom: 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝 4 :
CORRECT INCORRECT

Figure 6 Quantum Numbers as Seen on the Periodic Table of Elements 6

 Direction: Complete the set of quantum numbers for each electron of the
elements listed below.

1. Lithium 3. Fluorine
1 1
1st e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + 1st e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2 2
1 1
2nd e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = − 2nd e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2 2
1 1
3rd e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + 3rd e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2 2

2. Boron 4th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −

1
2
1
1st e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + 1
2 5th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2
1
2nd e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = − 1
2 6th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2
1
3rd e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + 1
2 7th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = +1; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2
1
4th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = − 1
2 8th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2
1
5th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = + 1
2 9th e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2

Activity 4
Objective: Supply the following data from the electron configuration such as
period number, group number, number of paired and unpaired electron/s,
number of valence electron/s, and number of core electrons.

DESCRIBE THE NEGATIVES AROUND ME

Direction: Complete the table on the next page. (Tip: You are encouraged to
use the Periodic Table of Elements.)

Element Period Group Paired e- Unpaired Valence Core e-

e- e-
Magnesium 3 2 6 0 2 10
Aluminum 3 10
Potassium 18
Germanium
Krypton 4 18 18 0 0 36
Barium 6
Francium 7 1 43 1 1 86

Check Your Understanding

HOW FAR DO YOU REMEMBER?

Hurray! You are almost done with this module. We already have tried to look for
the electrons outside the nucleus based on Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. How
much did you learn so far? Can we test it more using the activity below?

8
 Direction: Describe the electrons of a Sodium atom.

1. period: ________________ 8-10. set of quantum numbers for its

2. group: ________________ first three electrons:
3. no. of e :
- ________________ 1
1st e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
4. no. of core e :
- ________________ 2

5. no. of valence e : ________________

-
2nd e-: 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = −
1
2
6. e- configuration: ________________ 1
7. v. e- configuration:________________ 3rd e-: 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2

Remember This
CAN YOU RECALL THE CONCEPTS WE DISCUSSED IN THIS MODULE?
Azimuthal Quantum Number (l) – tells the energy sublevel or the type of orbital the
electron is in.
Core Electrons – this refers to the inner electrons of an atom.
Electron Configuration – refers to the notation showing how electrons are arranged in
the orbitals.
Group – shows the vertical arrangement (18 groups) in the periodic table.
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle – states that no one can exactly measure everything
about electron’s movement and location.
Magnetic Quantum Number (ml) – denotes the orientation of the orbital in space.
Orbit – a definite path traveled by an electron around the nucleus as described by
Planetary Model
Orbital – a region, space, or cloud outside the nucleus where electrons can be found.
Period – shows the horizontal arrangement (7 periods) of elements in the periodic table.
Principal Quantum Number (n) – gives the energy level an electron belongs to.
Spin Quantum Number (ms) – determines the way an electron spins (either clockwise
(+1/2) or counterclockwise (-1/2).
Valence Electrons – these electrons are found at the outermost energy level of an atom.

Post-Test
LET’S TRY YOUR NEWLY ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Direction: Identify the letter of the correct answer. Write it before the number.

____1. Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle helps us describe the probable location of an

electron. What does this principle suggest?
A. Electrons are inside the nucleus.
B. Electrons can be found in orbits around the nucleus.
C. Electrons have definite locations outside the nucleus.
D. Electrons’ location cannot exactly be pointed out; however, the probability
of finding it in orbitals is possible.
____2. What makes up the electron configuration of certain atoms?
A. energy levels C. orbitals
B. number of electrons D. all the three
____3. What is the correct electron configuration of a Fluorine atom?
A. 1𝑠1 2𝑠2 2𝑝 6 C. 1𝑠2 2𝑠2 2𝑝 6 3𝑠2 2𝑝 5
B. 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝 5 D. 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝 6 3𝑠 3 2𝑝 4
9
____4. The following sets of quantum numbers are possible except one. Which set is
INVALID?
1 1
A. 𝑛 = 1; 𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑙 = 0; 𝑚𝑠 = + C. 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = −1; 𝑚𝑠 = −
2 2
1 1
B. 𝑛 = 2; 𝑙 = 1; 𝑚𝑙 = +1; 𝑚𝑠 = − D. 𝑛 = 3; 𝑙 = 3; 𝑚𝑙 = −2 ; 𝑚𝑠 = +
2 2
____5. How many valence electrons does a Chlorine atom have?
A. 1 B. 3 C. 5 D. 7

Reflection
The nucleus of an atom, which carries neutral and positive charges, can
be found at the center of an atom. It is always surrounded by negative electrons
around it. Does the nucleus allow negatives to enter? Can you share how can
you relate this to your life? I’m excited to hear your thoughts about this. Use the
space provided for your reflection.

.
I am so proud of you for successfully finishing this module! Don’t forget to
thank your parents for guiding you. I hope you learned a lot. Are you ready to find out
why we have been describing the electron’s position outside the nucleus? I am now
confident that you are already excited to SEE THE NEXT MODULE! Best of luck!

References:
Printed Materials:
• Alvarez, et. al., (2014). Science 9 Learner's Module. Pasig City: Department of
Education: Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd BLR).
• Alvarez, et. al., (2014). Science 9 Teacher's Guide. Pasig City: Department of
Education: Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd BLR).
• Padolina, M.C. et. al., (2010). Conceptual and Functional Chemistry. Vibal
Publishing House Inc.
• Pavico, J., Ramos, A. C., Bayquen, A., Silverio, A., & Ramos, J. D. (2014).
Exploring Life Through Science. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House.
• Periodic Table of Elements

Electronic Sources:
• https://bit.ly/32cEWh3 • https://bit.ly/3bG2z4F
• https://bit.ly/3bKdkDc • https://bit.ly/32eoTPT
• https://bit.ly/3ifUYMF

Images:
• All figures are the author’s illustrations with references cited above
10