Question

I don't even know how to start this...The valence electron configurations of several atoms are shown below. How many bonds can each atom make without hybridization?

1. Si 3S2 3P2

2. P 3S2 3P3

3. F 2S2 2P5

Answer 1

Help, exam on monday!!

Answer 2

I'm a little confused about the question; however, my best guess is that we determine the electron loss/gain. Do you have a way of verifying the answer?
For Si, 3s2 2p2 means valence of +4 (4 bonds or 4 more electrons to make 8).
P of 3s2 2p3 = 3 (5 electrons 3 more to make 8).
F of 2s2 2p5 = 1 (7 electons + 1 mor to make 8).

Answer 3

It's a question in Mastering Chemistry, I don't know how else to reword it? That's their words =( I did plug in those #'s and it came back wrong, but it doesnt show me the right anwsers....so I dunno??

Answer 4

Hey! So remember electron orbitals will fill up one by one. If you have Si notated by 3s2 3p2, you have 2 electrons that are unpaired, right? That means you can have 2 bonds.
With P (3s2 3p3), you have 3 electrons that are each unpaired in the 3 p orbitals, so P can make 3 bonds without hybridization.
With F (2s2 2p5), you'll have 1 unpaired electron. Since p has 3 orbitals, and you have 5 electrons, you'll start with one in each orbital (3 electrons) then the 2 left over will each join an orbital, so 2 of your 3 p orbitals are full. That means you have 1 unpaired electron, so you can have 1 bond without hybridization.
I realize I'm answering this question 4 years later, but hopefullly others can benefit from the explanation. :)

Answer 5

Emma, it did benefit someone! thanks for the awesome and easy explanation.

Answer 6

1)2
2)2
3)1

Answer 7

Emma, you saved my life. Thank you.

Answer 8

I wish you could @ people. Emma you saved my life. Thanks

Answer 9

Thanks Emma, Stacy may have failed but me in 2020 I’ll learn from her mistakes.

Answer 10

Shout out to Emma for making this so simple.

Answer 11

Emma you're my hero :)

Answer 12

Thank you for the help Emma.