Electron Shell Chemistry Example 5

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Example 5

hard
Compare the electron shell arrangements of neon (Z=10Z = 10) and argon (Z=18Z = 18). Explain why both are chemically inert despite having different numbers of total electrons.

Solution

  1. 1
    Neon: 2, 8 — the outermost shell (shell 2) is completely full with 8 electrons.
  2. 2
    Argon: 2, 8, 8 — the outermost shell (shell 3) has 8 electrons, which completes its ss and pp subshells even though the shell can hold up to 18.
  3. 3
    Both have a complete octet in their outermost shell, giving them maximum stability and no tendency to gain, lose, or share electrons.

Answer

Both have full outer shells (8 electrons) → chemically inert.\text{Both have full outer shells (8 electrons) → chemically inert.}
Chemical inertness of noble gases results from having a complete outermost electron shell. An octet (8 electrons) in the outer shell provides exceptional stability, which is why other elements react to achieve this configuration.

About Electron Shell

A discrete energy level surrounding the atomic nucleus where electrons reside, with each shell (n=1,2,3,...n = 1, 2, 3, ...) holding a maximum of 2n22n^2.

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