Shielding [ENDORSED]

[Michael Nirula]

Because the 2S and 2P orbitals both have the quantum # n=2, I thought that these orbitals were the same distance from the nucleus, but I believe Prof. Lavelle mentioned today that the 2P orbital experiences shielding from the 2S orbital. Is this true/does the 2P orbital experience shielding from the 2S orbital?

[Swetha Ampabathina1I]

Yes the 2p orbital does experience shielding from the 2s orbital since the 2s orbital is closer to the nucleus and can block out the charge from the electrons from the 2p orbital since they are farther away

[Hannah Yates 1K]

Technically the 2s and 2p are the same orbital, but they have different suborbital. S is the closest suborbital to the nucleus, then P, then D, and so on.

[Madeline Motamedi 4I]

So, from what I'm understanding from this, the sub orbitals within one n are different distances from the nucleus. Am I correct?

[Andrew Lam 3B]

The p-orbital experiences less pull from the nucleus because some of the repulsion from s-orbital electrons are also affecting it. Thus, we need something called effective nuclear charge to describe the binding strength of electrons. They are the same energy level (in the case of 2s and 2p) but are varying distances from the nucleus.

[Jonathan Pai 2I]

The terms are subshell and orbital, not suborbital. shell(n)>>subshell(l)>>>orbital(ml)

Yes you are correct. The n value, for example 2 in 2s and 2p, provides a small "range" of energy levels. In that range of n=2, s orbital is closer than p orbital, so the p orbital does experience less attraction b/c the s orbital is closer. So even though they are at the same energy level of n=2, the s is closer within that energy level(range).

[Margaret Akey]

So the orbitals closer to the nucleus are always the ones that shield the further away electrons?

[Josceline 3J]

Hello everyone, I'm struggling a bit with this concept. In the hw, it told us to find the ground state of elements (ex: Bi which has 83 electrons) and then the answer was [Xe]4f^(14)5d^(10)6s^(2)6p^(3). When it comes to elements with a high number of electrons is there another way to go about this other than having to do the (s,p,d,f) level one by one to come to the answer. It can be a lot of work when dealing with big numbers.

[danicatran4]

What are the consequences of shielding? I understand it means the electrons far away from the nucleus are less electronegative, but why does it matter?

[Venya Vaddi 1L]

Because of shielding, the outer electrons feel reduced electrostatic attraction, resulting in an effective nuclear charge. Shielding explains why it is easier (in other words, requires less energy) to remove the outer electrons because the outer electrons have less of an electrostatic attraction from the nucleus. Shielding is also an argument used to explain other periodic trends.

[Michael Nirula]

Ok great think I've got it thanks guys

[Brian Chang 2H]

The 2s orbital shields the 2p orbitals from the electronegative attraction of the nucleus.

[Mayaal_Khan_4H]

Hello everyone, I'm struggling a bit with this concept. In the hw, it told us to find the ground state of elements (ex: Bi which has 83 electrons) and then the answer was [Xe]4f^(14)5d^(10)6s^(2)6p^(3). When it comes to elements with a high number of electrons is there another way to go about this other than having to do the (s,p,d,f) level one by one to come to the answer. It can be a lot of work when dealing with big numbers.

Starting with the Nobel gas to make your answer shorter is the only way, I think.

[Brian Chang 2H]

Hello everyone, I'm struggling a bit with this concept. In the hw, it told us to find the ground state of elements (ex: Bi which has 83 electrons) and then the answer was [Xe]4f^(14)5d^(10)6s^(2)6p^(3). When it comes to elements with a high number of electrons is there another way to go about this other than having to do the (s,p,d,f) level one by one to come to the answer. It can be a lot of work when dealing with big numbers.

Start from the closest Noble gas (lower in electron number, not higher. lol.) and work upwards. There is no short notation for this.

[Shibhon_Shepard]

WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN????? I don't even remember this being talked about.

[Tahlia Mullins]

Since the 2s orbital is closest to the nucleus, the 2p orbital experiences shielding from the nucleus, increasing the diameter of the atom.