The electronic configuration of an atom determines its chemical properties from "summary" of Chemistry Simplified NCERT Class 11 by Sanjay Sharma
The electronic configuration of an atom is a crucial factor that determines its chemical properties. Electrons in an atom are arranged in energy levels or shells around the nucleus. These energy levels are further divided into sublevels, which can hold a specific number of electrons. The distribution of electrons in these energy levels and sublevels plays a significant role in how an atom interacts with other atoms to form compounds. The number of electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom is particularly important in determining its reactivity. Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration. This is because atoms are most stable when their outermost energy level is either completely filled with electrons or contains eight electrons, known as the octet rule. This stability is achieved by forming chemical bonds with other atoms. Atoms that have a nearly full or nearly empty outermost energy level are more likely to react with other atoms in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration. For example, alkali metals have one electron in their outermost energy level, making them highly reactive as they tend to lose this electron to achieve a stable configuration. On the other hand, halogens have seven electrons in their outermost energy level, making them highly reactive as they tend to gain one electron to achieve a stable configuration. The electronic configuration of an atom also determines its ability to form different types of chemical bonds. Atoms can form ionic bonds, covalent bonds, or metallic bonds based on their electronic configurations. Ionic bonds are formed when atoms transfer electrons to achieve a stable configuration, while covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons. Metallic bonds are formed between metal atoms, where electrons are delocalized and free to move throughout the structure.- The electronic configuration of an atom is a fundamental aspect that influences its chemical properties and reactivity. By understanding the arrangement of electrons in an atom, we can predict how it will interact with other atoms to form compounds. This knowledge is essential in the study of chemistry and provides a basis for understanding the behavior of matter at the atomic level.
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