Of the following electron configurations: (1) 1 s^2 2 s^2 2...

Of the following electron configurations:
(1) $1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{1}$
(2) $1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{4}$
(3) $1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{5}$
which represents the element with the
(a) largest size?
(b) smallest ionization energy?
(c) greatest electron affinity?

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the arrangement of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is fundamental to understanding the chemical and physical behavior of elements because it reveals the distribution of electrons across various energy levels and subshells, which influences properties such as reactivity, bonding, and the placement of the element within the periodic table.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends are patterns observed in the properties of elements as one moves across a period or down a group in the periodic table. These trends, including atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity, help predict and explain how atoms interact, react, and bond based on changes in effective nuclear charge and electron shielding.

Atomic Radius

Atomic radius refers to the size of an atom, typically measured as the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell. As one moves across a period, the increased effective nuclear charge usually pulls electrons closer to the nucleus, reducing the atomic size, whereas moving down a group introduces additional electron shells, increasing the size of the atom.

Ionization Energy

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom in the gaseous state. It is influenced by the effective nuclear charge and the distance of the electrons from the nucleus, with smaller atoms and higher positive charges typically requiring more energy to remove an electron.

Electron Affinity

Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom, forming a negative ion. Generally, electron affinity becomes more negative as atoms more eagerly accept an electron, which is often observed in elements with high effective nuclear charge and small atomic radii within a given period.

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