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The diagram represents a sodium atom - Junior Cycle Science - Question a - 2007
Question a
The diagram represents a sodium atom. The circles are electron orbits and the ‘Na’ represents the nucleus. The atomic number of sodium is 11. Using dots or Xs to rep... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram represents a sodium atom - Junior Cycle Science - Question a - 2007
Step 1
two dots (Xs) in inner circle and eight dots (Xs) in ‘middle’ circle
Answer
To represent the electronic structure of sodium, we place two Xs in the inner circle representing the first electron shell, which can hold 2 electrons. Next, we place eight Xs in the middle circle, corresponding to the second electron shell, which can hold up to 8 electrons. This accounts for 10 of the total 11 electrons in sodium.
Step 2
one dot (X) in outer circle
Answer
Finally, we place one X in the outer circle to represent the last electron in the outermost shell of sodium. This completes the electronic configuration of sodium, which is represented as:
- Inner Shell: 2 electrons (XX)
- Middle Shell: 8 electrons (XXXXXXXX)
- Outer Shell: 1 electron (X)