In: Chemistry
1) Sulfates, sulfites, nitrates, nitrites—how does one keep all of these similar but different names straight?
2)The electron configuration of an atom determines the number of electrons available to participate in bonding with another atom. One method of depicting the valence electrons that an atom has is through the Lewis structure. Pick an element from the periodic table of elements. Identify the valence electrons and the orbitals in which they reside.
1. Eventhough both have sulfur as central atom but different structures and oxidation of sulfur in both are different Sulfate (SO4 2- , +VI) and sulphite (SO3 2- , +IV).
Similarly nitrate (NO3 - , +V) and nitrite (NO2 - , +III).
2. For example carbon with atomic no 6, Electronic Configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p2 . Electrons in 2nd valency shell are called valency electrons and they participate in bonding. The 2 electrons in 2s orbital and 2 electrons in 2px and 2py are participate in bonding.
And second electron in 2s orbital will excite to 2pz and totally 4 unpaired valency electrons involved in bonding in the case of carbon.