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Chapter 4: Problem 116

Explain what is meant by this statement: The element hydrogen is an exception to the octet rule and yet it obeys it in principle.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Hydrogen is an exception to the octet rule because its only electron shell (1s) can accommodate a maximum of two electrons, unlike other atoms that strive for eight in their valence shells. However, it obeys the octet rule in principle, as it still aims to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to a noble gas (helium) by having a full valence shell, even with only two electrons.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Octet Rule

The octet rule states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shells, the outermost electron shell. This allows atoms to achieve a stable and low energy state, similar to that of the nearest noble gas. Atoms can gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve this configuration.
02

Hydrogen as an Exception

The element hydrogen is an exception to the octet rule because it can only accommodate a maximum of two electrons in its outer shell, which is its first and only electron shell (1s shell). Since it has only one electron, it only needs to gain, lose, or share one more electron to achieve a stable configuration similar to the nearest noble gas, helium.
03

Hydrogen Obeys the Octet Rule in Principle

Despite being an exception to the octet rule, hydrogen still obeys the rule in principle because, like other atoms, it seeks to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of a noble gas. In the case of hydrogen, this means having a full valence shell with two electrons instead of eight. Hence, hydrogen still follows the main idea of the octet rule, which is to achieve a stable and low energy state by having a full valence shell, even though it does not require eight electrons to do so.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The order of the colors in the visible spectrum can be remembered by the acronym ROY G. BIV, which stands for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. In the acronym, are the colors arranged in order of increasing or decreasing wavelength? In order of increasing or decreasing energy?

Regarding primary quantum number \(n\), which representative elements have valence electrons with an \(n\) value that is three times the \(n\) value of lithium's valence electrons? What period are they in?

Identify the period 2 element that is described by the ionization data below. \(\mathrm{M}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \quad \mathrm{IE}(1)=1.40 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{2+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(2)=2.86 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{2+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{3+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(3)=4.58 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{3+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{4+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(4)=7.48 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{4+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{5+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(5)=9.44 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{5+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{6+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(6)=5.33 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\) \(\mathrm{M}^{6+}(\mathrm{g}) \rightarrow \mathrm{M}^{7+} 1 \mathrm{e}^{-} \mathrm{IE}(7)=6.44 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{mol}\)

Order the following atoms from smallest to largest, judging from their relative positions in the periodic table: \(\mathrm{Cs}, \mathrm{Fe}, \mathrm{Ti}, \mathrm{Hf}\)

Write the ground-state electron configuration for each of the following atoms or ions. Which have a valence-shell octet? (a) \(\overline{\mathrm{Ar}}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\) (c) \(\mathrm{C}^{2-}\) (d) \(\mathrm{O}^{2-}\) (e) \(\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}\)
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