Focus 1E5

[Isabel Carden 1E]

Could someone explain to me why the statement "Electrons in an s-orbital are more effective than those in other orbitals at shielding other electrons from the nuclear charge because an electron in an s-orbital can penetrate to the nucleus of the atom." is a true statement in 1E5? I thought it would be false because an electron can't "penetrate" the nucleus but the book says it's true.

[Natalie Keung 1D]

Hi, I believe this wording just means it is closest to the nucleus and is more able to block the charge of the nucleus to the further electrons. When I attended Judy's review session, that's the explanation she gave so hopefully this helps.