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Why does one electron in a potassium atom go in the fourth energy level instead of squeezing into the third energy level?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Potassium is a member of the alkali group with sodium and cesium. All of the members of the alkali group have an outer shell MORE?
Solon Zboncak
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe orbitals around an atom have different energy levels, which come in "steps." When an electron comes along, it will occupy the lowest-energy orbital that is still open. By analogy, you can imagine that you if poured water over some steps, the water would not accumulate on a high step; it would flow down to lower dry steps. Only after the water level rises to a high step will that step begin to hold water. Similarly, only after the "electron level" has risen to a high orbital will that orbital get filled. Orbitals come in "levels." The first level has only one suborbital, 1s. The second level has two suborbitals, 2s (higher than 1s) and 2p (higher still). The third level has three suborbitals, 3s, 3p, and 3d. Then there is the fourth level. It begins higher than the 3rd level begins. But it just so happens that the spacing between the 3rd and 4th levels is not as great as the spacing of suborbitals within the 3rd level. Thus, 4s is not as high-energy as 3d. There is "overlap" between the levels! There continues to be overlap between the 4th and 5th levels, the 5th and 6th, etc. In fact, the arrangement of orbitals is pretty complicated up there. Nevertheless, an electron will always occupy the lowest-level orbital available to it, just as water will flow to the lowest unoccupied step. This link is good: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/properties/atomorbs.html#top
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoremember that in potassium the electron configurations is as follows 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 as u can see there is 8 electrons already in the third energgy level we know that p can only contain a total of 6 electron 2 in each orbital(3 orbitals in a p)and 2 electrons from the s orbital in the third energy gives a total of eight no more electrons are able to squeeze because the total electrons the third energy level can have has already been reached so instead it is sent to the fourth energy level ready to take up electrons ( 4s1)
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoPotassium is a member of the alkali group with sodium and cesium. All of the members of the alkali group have an outer shell MORE?
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What is the electron dot symbol for a potassium atom?
It is K with one dot so: K . The reasoning behind this is that you put the highest energy level on the dot notation. Electron Configuration notation for Potassium is: 1s2; 2s2, 2p6; 3s2, 3p6, 4s1. It is also in the third row, so that is why it moves up to the fourth energy level.
The size and shape of an electron cloud are most closely related to the electron's what?
It is mostly related to the energy of the electron.
What do you call the energy involved when an atom loses an electron?
The amount of energy required to remove an electron form an at is the ionization energy.
The rest mass energy of an electron positron pair is?
Twice the mass of the electron, since the positron has the same mass of the electron. Or the equivalent, in energy units.An electron has a mass or energy of 511 keV.
When an electron is ejected from the surface what type of energy does the electron possess?
It is moving, so it has kinetic energy.
Why does one electron in potassium atom go into the fourth energy level instead of squeezing into the third energy level?
remember that in potassium the electron configurations is as follows 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 as u can see there is 8 electrons already in the third energgy level we know that p can only contain a total of 6 electron 2 in each orbital(3 orbitals in a p)and 2 electrons from the s orbital in the third energy gives a total of eight no more electrons are able to squeeze because the total electrons the third energy level can have has already been reached so instead it is sent to the fourth energy level ready to take up electrons ( 4s1)
Why does one electron in a potassium atom go into the fourth energy level instead of squeezing into the third energy level along with eight alredy?
The aufbau principle (text books may also call it the Madelung ordering or the Klechkowski rule) predicts the order in which orbitals are filled. The 4s orbital is filled before the 3d orbitals. Wikipedia has an article see link
Lithium and potassium which is more reactive?
They both have 1 electron in their outer shell but because potassium has more shells, this electron is further from the nucleus. This means the outermost electron is less stronly pulled by the nucleus so it will break away easier therefore making potassium more reactive.
Why are potassium and caesium rather than lithim used in photoelectric cells?
Potassium can loose electron easily . Comparatively Lithium have high ionisation energy and low level of loosing electron while absorbing light energy.
How many electrons are there in potassium's outer energy level after the bond has formed?
One electron.
Which element has 19 protons and 1 valence electron?
Potassium has 19 total electrons and one electron in its 4th energy level.
Which of properties does lithium have a larger value than potassium?
The potassium is larger radius because it has more electron shells.
Why does lithium have a smaller atomic radius then potassium?
because the second ionisation means removing the second electron from the potassium atom. Potassium only has one electrin in its outer most shell so the second electron would be in another electron shell which is closer to the nucleus meaning there is a stronger attraction to that electron because of the protons in the nucleus which are positive and attrct the negative electrons so more energy is needed to remove the second electron
What is the electron energy level arrangement for potassium atomic number 19?
Potassium: - Electronic configuration: [Ar]4s1 - Electrons per shell: 2,8,8,1
Why potassium is more reactive than sodiam?
Potassium is a bigger atom and so its valency electron is further from the nucleus. As a result of the greater distance the bond that holds the electron to the nucleus is weaker. This means that less energy is required for other substances to react with that electron.
Is lithium more reactive than copper?
Yes, potassium is more reactive than lithium, since although they both need to lose one electron to have full outer shells, potassium's outer electron is furthest from the positive attractions of the nucleus. Therefore, it is easier for potassium to lose its outer electron than it is for lithium. hope that helped
Red light CANNOT cause an electron to be ejected from a potassium atom because of?
the energy of red light is not sufficient to eject electrons from the valence shell of the potassium atom.
