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Isoelectronic Clarification

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:22 pm
by monikac4k
Can somebody clarify the importance of recognizing that multiple ions can be isoelectronic? I know that isoelectronic ions don't necessarily have the same chemical properties. Do we just need to understand that they carry the same number of electrons?

Re: Isoelectronic Clarification

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 1:27 pm
by jonathanjchang2E
Since isoelectronic atoms and ions have the same number of valence electrons they should display similar chemical properties. For example, hydrogen and hydrogen-like atoms such as Li2+ display similar properties since they both have only one electron.

Re: Isoelectronic Clarification

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:14 pm
by megan blatt 2B
I think the main thing that you have to know is that they have the same number of electrons. I think the biggest difference between isoelectronic atoms and ions is the net charge, which could have some effect on some of their properties, especially ionization energy. For example hydrogen and lithium 2+ are isoelectronic and therefore, have the same number of electrons. However, lithium 2+ has a more positive net charge because of the increased amount of protons in the nucleus compared to hydrogen.