Electron Configurations Up To 3rd Period The electron configurations and orbital diagrams of the first three rows (periods) of the periodic table occupy an important role. The configurations form the basis of chemical behavior. Periodic Table to Electron Shells Periods and Electron Shells The…
Category: general chemistry
Electron Shells and Orbitals
Electron Shells Electron shells and orbitals hold electrons in a specific pattern. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons must equal the number of protons. This makes the number of electrons equal to an element’s atomic number. The electrons reside somewhere away from the nucleus. The positive charge concentrates…
Molecular Shape
Molecular Shape Important The structure of a molecule is not complete until you know the molecular shape. Molecules which have seemingly an identical molecular shape often have very different chemical properties. The featured image above shows a flow chart you can use to deduce the electron geometry…
Polar Molecule and Nonpolar Molecule
The difference between a polar molecule and a nonpolar molecule depends on molecular geometry. Polar Bonds Polar result when two different elements share electrons and form a covalent bond. Each element has a characteristic electronegativity. A more electronegative element has a stronger attraction for electrons it shares in a…
Electronegativity and Polarity
Bond polarity comes from different elements having different electronegativity; the innate ability to attract electrons within a covalent bond. Electronegativity Each element has a value for electronegativity to compare how two atoms distribute negative charge when they share electrons. Electronegativity Property of Atoms Electronegativity expresses…
Organic Chemistry: 4 Stepping Stones
The four stepping stones to organic chemistry come from general chemistry you already know. Atoms Each element passes important properties through all levels of organization: electronegativity The positive charge from the nucleus compared to the distance of the outer electron gives a different ability to attract…
Dimensional Analysis in Chemistry
One of the first road blocks you might find when you start chemistry is how to do dimensional analysis problems. Dimensional analysis problems do not lend themselves to memorization. The first factor of frustration comes when being able to solve a problem does not boil down…
Chemistry of Solids
Solid State Chemistry Solid state chemistry is overlooked in general chemistry. It would be an under statement to say solid state chemistry is the substance of civilization. Many of the most interesting and practical uses of chemistry fall into the category of solid state chemistry. …
How to Study Chemistry
What Goes Around After so much advice on how to study chemistry, it is obvious a lot of “information” is not really helpful. What You Usually Hear There must be better advice than “to study more” , “remove distractions”, “eat well”, “make a schedule”, and “get organized”. Many schemes and…
Isotopes
Consider only the nucleus when you are concerned with isotopes. Electrons play no part in isotopes or the atomic mass, Figure 2. Only protons and neutrons contribute to the mass of an isotope.