Question

In the electron dot structure, the valence shell electrons are represented by crosses or dots.

(a) The atomic number of chlorine is $17$. Write its electronic configuration

(b) Draw the electron dot structure of chlorine molecule

Answer 1

(a) Electronic configuration of Chlorine:-

• The electron configuration of an element describes how the electrons are distributed in its atomic orbitals.
• The atomic number of Chlorine$\left(\mathrm{Cl}\right)$ is$17$.
• So, the electronic configuration of Chlorine is$1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^{6}3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^5$.

(b) Electron dot structure of Chlorine molecule$\left({\mathrm{Cl}}_2\right)$:-

• Electron dot structures also called the Lewis dot structure are diagrams showing the bonding between a molecule’s atoms and the lone pairs of electrons that may occur in the molecule.
• Chlorine has $7$ electrons in its valence shell.
• Thus it only needs 1 electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration.
• Thus, the two chlorine molecules share one electron each and complete their octet, and hence become stable.
• The electron dot structure of the Chlorine$\left({\mathrm{Cl}}_2\right)$ molecule is:

• The cross here represents the valence electrons present in the outermost shell of chlorine.