Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms.
Answer
Based on the Bohr-Bury scheme, we know that the maximum number of electrons that can be present in a particular energy shell of an atom is given by 2n 2 , where “n” is the number of energy shells.
(i) Carbon
Atomic number of Carbon = 6
Therefore, number of electrons in Carbon = 6
- 2 of them are held in K Shell (as K Shell can hold max 2 electrons)
-
4
of them are held in
L Shell
(as L Shell can hold max 8 electrons)
So,K Shell - 2
L Shell - 4
(ii) Sodium
Atomic number of Sodium = 11
Therefore, number of electrons in Sodium = 11
- 2 of them are held in K Shell (as K Shell can hold max 2 electrons)
- 8 of them are held in L Shell (as L Shell can hold max 8 electrons)
Remaining 1 is held in M Shell
So,
K Shell - 2
L Shell - 8
M Shell - 1
