Question

Using the periodic table, predict the charge of the most stable ion of the following elements: $(\mathbf{a})\mathrm{Li}(\mathbf{b})$ Ba, (c) Po, $(\mathbf{d})\mathrm{I},$ (e) Sb.

Short answer

The most stable ions for the elements Li, Ba, Po, I, and Sb will have the following charges: $(\text{a})\mathrm{Li}:+1,(\text{b})\mathrm{Ba}:+2,(\text{c})\mathrm{Po}:-2,(\text{d})\mathrm{I}:-1,(\text{e})\mathrm{Sb}:-3$.

Step-by-step solution

1. Locate the Elements in the Periodic Table

First, look at the periodic table to find the group and period for each of the elements Li, Ba, Po, I, and Sb.

2. Determine Electron Configurations

Based on their position in the periodic table, find the electron configuration for each element: (a) Li: 1s² 2s¹ (b) Ba: [Xe] 6s² (c) Po: [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁴ (d) I: [Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁵ (e) Sb: [Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p³

3. Predict the Charges of the Most Stable Ions

Based on the electron configurations, determine how many electrons the element will lose or gain to achieve a stable octet: (a) Li: 2s¹ -> To achieve a stable octet, Li will lose 1 electron from the 2s orbital, resulting in a charge of +1. (b) Ba: 6s² -> To achieve a stable octet, Ba will lose 2 electrons from the 6s orbital, resulting in a charge of +2. (c) Po: 6p⁴ -> To achieve a stable octet, Po will gain 2 electrons in the 6p orbital, resulting in a charge of -2. (d) I: 5p⁵ -> To achieve a stable octet, I will gain 1 electron in the 5p orbital, resulting in a charge of -1. (e) Sb: 5p³ -> To achieve a stable octet, Sb will gain 3 electrons in the 5p orbital, resulting in a charge of -3.

4. Summary of Predicted Charges

Based on the electron configurations and periodic trends, the most stable ions for each element will have the following charges: (a) Li: +1 (b) Ba: +2 (c) Po: -2 (d) I: -1 (e) Sb: -3

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is an essential tool in chemistry, serving as a map to understand the properties of elements. It arranges the elements in an organized manner, typically by increasing atomic number. Each element is placed into specific rows called periods and columns known as groups. This layout reveals periodic trends such as electronegativity and ionization energy.

The periodic table also helps predict the chemical behavior of elements. For example, elements in the same group often exhibit similar properties due to their electron configurations. Li and Ba, part of Groups 1 and 2, respectively, lose electrons to form cations. In contrast, elements like I and Sb, which belong to Group 17 and Group 15, tend to gain electrons to form anions.

This structure allows us to make educated guesses about the formation of ions and their charges.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals. These configurations follow the Aufbau principle, which dictates the order in which orbitals are filled. This concept is crucial for understanding how atoms interact chemically.

To determine an element's electron configuration, you first locate it on the periodic table. For instance:

• Lithium (Li) has the electron configuration of 1s² 2s¹, indicating it has 3 electrons.
• Barium (Ba) is represented as [Xe] 6s², showing that its outer electrons reside in the 6s orbital.
• Polonium (Po) has [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁴, with its valence electrons in the 6p orbital.

This configuration helps determine how an element achieves a stable electron arrangement, typically by gaining or losing electrons.

Stable Octet

The stable octet concept is foundational in understanding how elements form ions. According to this principle, atoms tend to adjust their electron configuration to mirror the noble gases, which have eight electrons in their outermost shell.

Elements achieve this by losing or gaining electrons:

• Lithium loses one electron from its 2s orbital to achieve a stable electron configuration, mirroring that of Helium, resulting in a +1 charge.
• Barium loses two electrons from its 6s orbital, achieving stability similar to Xenon, resulting in a +2 charge.
• Polonium gains two electrons to fill its 6p orbital, achieving noble gas configuration and a -2 charge.

By understanding the stable octet rule, predicting how different elements form ions becomes straightforward, as it explains their drive to stabilize.

Element Groups

Element groups, also known as families, make up the columns of the periodic table. Group numbers indicate the number of valence electrons in an element, which dictate its chemical behavior.

For example:

• Group 1 elements like Li have one valence electron, which they lose easily to form +1 ions.
• Group 2 elements such as Ba have two valence electrons, often losing both to form +2 ions.
• Group 17 elements like I gain one electron to achieve a stable octet, typically forming -1 ions.

Recognizing an element's group helps predict its ion charge because elements in the same group generally exhibit similar ionic behavior due to their analogous valence electron arrangements.