Question

The four most abundant elements by mass in the human body are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. These four elements make up about 96% of the human body. The next four most abundant elements are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Write the expected ground-state electron configurations for these eight most abundant elements in the human body.

Short answer

The ground-state electron configurations for the eight most abundant elements in the human body are: 1. Hydrogen (H): \(1s^1\) 2. Carbon (C): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^2\) 3. Nitrogen (N): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\) 4. Oxygen (O): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^4\) 5. Calcium (Ca): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2\) 6. Phosphorus (P): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3\) 7. Magnesium (Mg): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2\) 8. Potassium (K): \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1\)

Step-by-step solution

Hydrogen (H)

Hydrogen has only one electron, so its electron configuration is simply 1s1.

Carbon (C)

Carbon has six electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p².

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen has seven electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p³.

Oxygen (O)

Oxygen has eight electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴.

Calcium (Ca)

Calcium has 20 electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s².

Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus has 15 electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium has 12 electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s².

Potassium (K)

Potassium has 19 electrons, so its electron configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹. Now we have found the ground-state electron configurations for all eight most abundant elements in the human body.

Key concepts

Ground-State Electrons

In the world of chemistry, the concept of ground-state electrons is vital for understanding how elements interact. Think of the ground state as the most relaxed state of an electron in an atom. At this level, electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals available. Why is this important?

• Electrons in the ground state determine the element's chemical properties.
• Knowing an element's ground-state electron configuration helps predict its chemical behavior.

Electron configurations are written as a string of numbers and letters, such as "1s² 2s² 2p⁶." The numbers denote energy levels, while letters specify the type of orbital the electrons occupy. Consequently, this information guides our understanding of chemical reactions and bonds, also helping to determine how stable an electron arrangement is.
Understanding ground-state electron configurations is crucial for solving chemistry problems and for exploring more complicated systems.

Chemical Elements in the Human Body

The human body is an astonishingly complex structure, made primarily of a few key chemical elements. These elements are found all around us but play notable roles in our anatomy and physiology:

• Oxygen: Used in cellular respiration, making up a part of water molecules.
• Carbon: The building block of life, present in all organic molecules.
• Hydrogen: Integral to water and organic compounds.
• Nitrogen: Vital component of amino acids and nucleic acids.

Together, these elements form proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are essential for life's processes. Understanding which elements make up our bodies can help us grasp basic biological functions and how the body maintains itself. By delving into the electron configurations of these essential elements, we gain insight into their role and function within biological systems.

Abundant Elements by Mass

Did you know that just a handful of elements make up the majority of the human body by mass?

• Oxygen (65%): It is the most abundant element in the human body and is crucial for energy production.
• Carbon (18%): Often called the "building block of life," carbon forms the backbone of all known life on Earth.
• Hydrogen (10%): Found mainly in water, hydrogen is vital in energy transfer and many cellular reactions.
• Nitrogen (3%): Plays a key role in forming nucleic acids like DNA, and proteins, which are essential for cellular processes.

The next most abundant elements by mass include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, each serving distinct roles from building strong bones to balancing fluids. This understanding allows for strategic interventions in health and nutrition, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced diet to ensure the body functions optimally.

Atomic Structure

The atomic structure is fundamental to understanding chemical elements and their interactions. Each atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in electron clouds or orbitals. The arrangement and behavior of these electrons are vital in determining how an atom participates in chemical reactions.

• Electrons spiral around the nucleus in defined energy levels or shells, often visualized as concentric orbits.
• The energy levels are further divided into subshells such as s, p, d, and f, where electrons reside.

Atoms strive for stability, often achieved by having a full outer shell of electrons, leading to chemical bonds like ionic or covalent bonds. This structure explains everything from why ice floats to how metals conduct electricity. When we explore atomic structure, we're peering into the very foundation of matter and delving into the essence of chemical reactions and physical laws.