2.2 Electrons, bonding and structure

2.2 Electrons, bonding and structure

1. 2.2.1 Shells and Orbitals

   • Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels known as shells
     • Quantum numbers are used to describe the electrons in atoms
       • The principle quantum number, n, indicates the shell that the electrons occupy
       • Different shells have different principle quantum numbers
       • the larger the value of n the further the shell is from the nucleus and the higher the energy level
   • Each shell is made up of a number of atomic orbitals
     • Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins
     • There are 4 different types of orbital; s,p,d and f
   • s-orbitals
     • They have a spherical shape
     • From n=1 upwards, each shell contains 1 s orbital
     • There