Textbook Question
Detailed calculations show that the value of Zeff for the outermost electrons in Na and K atoms is 2.51+ and 3.49+, respectively. (b) What values do you estimate for Zeff using Slater’s rules?
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Periodic Trend: Effective Nuclear Charge
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Calculate the effective nuclear charge (Zeff) for a valence electron in an oxygen atom.
A
8+
B
2+
C
4+
D
6+
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number (Z) of oxygen, which is 8. This represents the total number of protons in the nucleus of an oxygen atom.
Determine the number of core (inner) electrons that shield the valence electrons. For oxygen, the electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴. The core electrons are those in the 1s orbital, totaling 2 electrons.
Apply the formula for effective nuclear charge (Zeff): Zeff = Z - S, where Z is the atomic number and S is the shielding constant, which is approximately equal to the number of core electrons.
Substitute the values into the formula: Zeff = 8 - 2. This calculation accounts for the shielding effect of the core electrons on the valence electrons.
Interpret the result: The effective nuclear charge experienced by a valence electron in an oxygen atom is the net positive charge after accounting for the shielding effect of the core electrons.
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