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Chapter 5: Problem 81

The valence electrons in a helium atom are paired, but suppose they were not. Postulate what might form if oxygen atoms reacted with helium atoms that had their valence electrons unpaired.

Short Answer

Expert verified
If helium had an unpaired valence electron with an electron configuration of 1s^1, it could hypothetically react with oxygen atoms to form a compound. One oxygen atom could bond with two helium atoms, similar to the bonding in H2O. The resulting hypothetical compound would be called "dihelium monoxide" (He2O).

Step by step solution

01

Recall the electron configuration of helium and oxygen

Currently, helium has an electron configuration of 1s^2, with its two electrons filling the 1s orbital. Oxygen has an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4, with 6 electrons in its valence shell (2s and 2p orbitals).
02

Imagine helium with an unpaired valence electron

If helium had an unpaired valence electron, instead of its actual configuration, it would have an electron configuration of 1s^1, similar to that of hydrogen. It will have one electron in its valence shell.
03

Determine how helium and oxygen could combine

Since helium has one unpaired valence electron, and oxygen has two unpaired electrons in its 2p orbital, it is possible for one helium atom to donate an electron to an oxygen atom to create a bond. However, since oxygen still has one unpaired electron left, another helium atom would need to donate its electron to achieve a stable configuration for oxygen. In this hypothetical scenario, one oxygen atom would form bonds with two helium atoms, resembling the formation of the H2O molecule (water) in terms of bonding.
04

Name the hypothetical compound

In this imaginary compound, two helium atoms are bonded to one oxygen atom. Using the standard chemical naming conventions, the compound would be called "dihelium monoxide" (He2O).

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