Question

Which set of these comparisons is INCORRECT? (More stable means it has a more negative energy.) a) The 1s orbital in H is more stable than the 1s orbital in He+ b) The 2s orbital in He atom is less stable than the 2s orbital in He+ c) The 2s subshell in Li is more stable than the 2p subshell in Li

Answer 1

Answer:

a.

Explanation:

By the Linus Pauling's diagram, we know that the order of the energy of the subshell at the same atom, from the less to the higher, is:

1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 4d ...

As larger is the atom, the attraction energy between the electron and the nuclei is weak. The size of the atom increase from right to left in the periods, and from the top to the bottom in the families. The cations are smaller than the neutral atoms (the attraction is more effective with fewer electrons), and the anions are larger than the neutral atoms. So, in order of size, and also the energy of the similar subshells:

He⁺ < He < H

How higher the energy, less negative it is, so less stable is the orbital.

a. As shown above, the energy of the orbital at H is higher than the energy at the orbital at He⁺, so the 1s orbital is more stable at He⁺, and the sentence is incorrect.

b. As shown above, the energy of the orbital at He is higher than the energy of the orbital He⁺, so the 2s orbital at He is less stable than the 2s orbital at He⁺, and the sentence is correct.

c. From the Linus Pauling's diagram, the energy of 2p is higher than the energy of the 2s, so the 2s subshell is more stable, and the sentence is correct.