CHE1031
Vermont Tech
CHE1031 Lecture 6 Quiz Key
Please use any and all resources available to you for this take-home quiz. However,
remember that you will be working alone on the exam to follow.
Please show ALL work needed to answer the question.
6.1: Atomic properties from electron configuration
1. The valence shell of element X contains 2 electrons in a 5s subshell. Below that shell,
element X has a partially filled 4d subshell. What type of element is X?
a. main group element
b. chalcogen
c. halogen
d. transition metal
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e. alkalai metal
2. All of the _________________ have a valence electron configuration of ns2.
a. noble gases
b. halogens
c. chalcogens
d. alkalai metals
e. alkaline earth metals
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6.2: The true nature of the atom
3. In Einstein explanation of the photoelectric effect, both light and matter are quantized.
What is the quantized unit of light called? The quantized unit of matter? How are these
two quantized units related?
The quantized unit of light is the photon. The quantized unit of matter involved in the
photoelectric effect is the electron. They are related by interaction and energy levels. If
the energy level of a photon (its frequency) is high enough when it hits a metal, the
interaction is able to release an electron from the metal. The frequency of the light must
be above the threshold level of energy required to induce the photoelectric effect in that
particular metal.
6.3: Developing a new physics for atoms
4. As the wavelength of light increases the frequency of light _________________.
decreases
6.4: Bohr’s planetary model
5. Bohr’s model of the atom is explained in three postulates. Of those three postulates,
which are still valid in light of the quantum mechanical model that includes the findings
of de Broglie, Heisenberg and Schrödinger? [Write them out, don’t use numbers to
identify the postulates.]
Still valid:
 Electrons staying in “allowed” quantum energy levels do not radiate energy.
 If electrons do change energy levels, they radiate energy in the form of photons.
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CHE1031
Vermont Tech
Not quite valid because of uncertainty: quanta are still valid but position isn’t certain:
 Electrons can occupy only very specific (quantum) energy levels & aren’t found
between these levels.
6.5: Applying quantum mechanics to the atom
6. According to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, it is impossible to know precisely both
the position and the _________ of an electron.
a. mass
b. color
c. momentum

d. shape
e. charge
7. Why do orbitals have nodes, areas with zero probability of containing electrons?
Nodes exist because orbitals are really wave functions. When waves interact they
produce interference. Nodes are produced when two waves overlap, are exactly out of
synch and therefore sum to zero.
6.6: Orbital filling & electron configuration
8. The __________ subshell contains only one orbital.
a. 5d
b. 6f
c. 4s
d. 3d
e. 1 p
9. Which carbon atom is “excited”?
a. 1s22s22p13s1
b. 1s22s22p3
c. 1s22s22p1
d. 1s22s23s2
e. 1s22s22p2
10. Which two atoms have the same ground-state electron configuration?
a. Pd and Pt
b. Cu and Ag
c. Fe and Cu
d. Cl and Ar
e. No two elements can have the same ground-state electron configuration.
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