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3: Atomic Theory and Periodic Table

  • Page ID
    121772
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    • 3.1: Introduction and Learning Objectives
      This page offers a thorough examination of atomic theory and the periodic table, highlighting significant scientific contributions and the atom's structure. It addresses electron configuration and its impact on chemical properties, as well as periodic table organization and trends in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity. The chapter also provides effective teaching strategies for K-12 educators to engage students with these essential concepts.
    • 3.2: Atoms and the Periodic Table
      This page outlines the evolution of atomic theory from ancient skepticism to modern acceptance, detailing atomic structure with a focus on protons, neutrons, and electrons, and the periodic table's organization. It emphasizes the development of atomic models, particularly through Rutherford's experiments, and explains isotopes as variants of elements differing in neutron count, along with ions as charged atoms from electron changes. The summary concludes with exercises related to these concepts.
    • 3.3: Electronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations)
      The relative energy of the subshells determine the order in which atomic orbitals are filled. Electron configurations and orbital diagrams can be determined by applying the Pauli exclusion principle (no two electrons can have the same set of four quantum numbers) and Hund’s rule (whenever possible, electrons retain unpaired spins in degenerate orbitals). Electrons in the outermost orbitals, called valence electrons, are responsible for most of the chemical behavior of elements.
    • 3.4: Molecular Structure and Polarity
      VSEPR theory predicts the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. It states that valence electrons will assume an electron-pair geometry that minimizes repulsions between areas of high electron density (bonds and/or lone pairs). Molecular structure, which refers only to the placement of atoms in a molecule and not the electrons, is equivalent to electron-pair geometry only when there are no lone electron pairs around the central atom.
    • 3.5: End of Chapter Activity
      This page details the creation of a high school lesson plan on atomic theory and the periodic table, incorporating AI tools and Bloom's Taxonomy. It emphasizes key concept definitions, engaging visualization activities, and analytical discussions. Students will predict properties of unknown elements and evaluate their knowledge via AI-enhanced quizzes and simulations.
    • 3.6: End of Chapter Key Terms
      This page provides an overview of atomic theory and the periodic table, defining key terms like atom, protons, neutrons, and electrons. It covers atomic number, mass number, isotopes, and atomic mass, as well as electron configurations and orbital behavior. The periodic table is explained concerning periods, groups, and the classification of elements, including alkali metals and noble gases. Moreover, it discusses atomic properties and periodic trends, such as atomic radius and ionization energy.


    3: Atomic Theory and Periodic Table is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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