Chapter U1.24, Problem 8E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

An element with electrons in the f subshell is to be named.

Concept introduction:

A periodic table can be divided into four zones, s block, p block, d block and f block. The element belonging to a particular block will have its outermost electron in that particular subshell. For example in case of s block elements, the outermost electrons will occupy s subshell. Elements in p block will have its outermost electrons in p subshell.

Answer to Problem 8E

An element with electrons belonging to f subshell is uranium.

Explanation of Solution

A periodic table can be divided into four zones, s block, p block, d block and f block.

Elements belong to one of these four zones.

Any elementlocated in the s block will have its outermostelectron(s) in s subshell. On moving across theperiodic table from oneelement to the next, one additional proton and one additional electron is added, along with one or more neutrons. Each additional electron goes into a specificsubshell. If an atom is located in the p block of the table, the last electron is present in p subshell. If an atom is located in the d block of the table, the lastelectron is present in d subshell and so on.

The element belonging to a particular block will have its outermost electron in that particular subshell.

Elements with electrons belonging to f subshell belong to f block. These elements are lanthanoids and actinoids. Important elements of this block are lanthanum, cerium, thorium, uranium, actinium, etc.

Conclusion

By knowing the position of an element in a periodic table, one can predict the arrangement of electrons. The periodic table provides the information needed to write the electronic configurations.