Question

The electron configuration of an element is 1s22s22p4. Describe what most likely happens when two atoms of this element move toward each other.

Answer 1

Answer:

When two atoms move towards each other a reaction occurs. In this case this element would share their electrons and have the full 8 valence electrons. This would create a covalent bond, where they share their valence electrons and their outer shells would overlap.

Explanation:

This answer is based off of my teachers rubric but the grading criteria differs from teacher to teacher. Hope this helps.

Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Answer:

When the two atoms move towards each other a compound is formed by sharing electron pairs supplied by each of the atoms to enable them have the stable 8 (octet) valency electrons in their outermost shell

Explanation:

The electronic configuration of the given element can be written as follows;

1s²2s²2p⁴

The given electronic configuration is equivalent to that of oxygen, therefore, we have;

The number of electrons in the valence shell = 2 + 4 = 6 electrons

Therefore, each atom requires 2 electrons to complete its 8 (octet) electrons in the outermost shell

When the two atoms move towards each other, they react and combine to form a compound by sharing 4 electrons, 2 from each atom, such that each atom can have an extra 2 electrons in its outermost orbit in the newly formed compound and the stable octet configuration is attained by each of the atoms in the newly formed compound.