Main group metals
Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 6:32 pm
Hi!
During class (Wednesday of week 5) we talked about main group metals and how they form cations by losing their s and p valence electrons. As a result, they adopt the electron configuration of the preceding inert-gas atom. I'm a bit confused, what does main group metals mean?
Moreover, Dr. Lavelle also showed a picture to illustrate how main group metals lose electrons when becoming cations (they go to the electron configuration of the inert-gas atom occurring before them). On that picture, I was a bit confused how elements from group III and IV become cations (especially Ga, In, Sn, Tl and Pb) because they have so many more electrons than the inert-gas atom that comes before them. How do I know how many electrons those elements lose?
Thank you! :)
Anna De Schutter - section 1A
During class (Wednesday of week 5) we talked about main group metals and how they form cations by losing their s and p valence electrons. As a result, they adopt the electron configuration of the preceding inert-gas atom. I'm a bit confused, what does main group metals mean?
Moreover, Dr. Lavelle also showed a picture to illustrate how main group metals lose electrons when becoming cations (they go to the electron configuration of the inert-gas atom occurring before them). On that picture, I was a bit confused how elements from group III and IV become cations (especially Ga, In, Sn, Tl and Pb) because they have so many more electrons than the inert-gas atom that comes before them. How do I know how many electrons those elements lose?
Thank you! :)
Anna De Schutter - section 1A