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Chapter 10: Problem 6

Is it possible to deduce the electron configuration for an atom from its photoelectron spectrum? If so, describe how. If not, describe why not.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, it is possible to deduce the electron configuration of an atom from its photoelectron spectrum. The peaks in the photoelectron spectrum represent kinetic energy of released electrons that corresponds to different electron shells from the atom. By analyzing the energies and their intensities, one can deduce the electron configuration.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Photoelectron spectroscopy is a technique that allows for the examination of an atom's electron configuration. When light shines upon an atom, the atom absorbs the energy and releases electrons. The released electrons have kinetic energy which is detected and analyzed in a photoelectron spectrum. Each peak in the photoelectron spectrum corresponds to a different electron shell in the atom.
02

Interpreting the Spectrum

Higher peaks in the spectrum represent the detection of more electrons, which suggests a larger electron shell. The position of the peaks, their relative intensities and shape provides information related to the binding energy of the electron, number of electrons in the shell and shell's shape. To deduce the electron configuration of an atom, each peak must be matched with its electron shell.
03

Deduce Electron Configuration

Once the different peaks have been matched with their respective electron shell as per their energy, you can then get an electron configuration for the atom. The electron configuration gives the distribution of electrons in atomic or molecular orbitals. For example, the peak in the photoelectron spectrum representing the most energy release corresponds to the innermost shell commonly denoted as \(1s\) in electron configuration notation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What information is provided by an electron configuration?

\begin{aligned} &\text { Complete the following table: }\\\ &\begin{array}{|c|l|l|} \hline \text { Element } & n \text { for the valence shell } & \text { IE }_{1}(\mathrm{MJ} / \mathrm{mole}) \\ \hline \mathrm{N} & & \\ \hline \mathrm{Ar} & & \\ \hline \end{array} \end{aligned}

\text { Predict the electron configuration of Ga. }

What is the common feature of the electron configurations of the elements in a given column of the periodic table?

One of the blocks described in Model 3 is often referred to as the "s-block" and one of the blocks is often referred to as the " \(p\) -block". Identify each of these "blocks" and explain the significance of their names in terms of electron configurations.
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