AP Chem Chapter 7 Learning Goals - Atomic Structure and Periodicity

Introduction:

In this chapter, attention is paid to the relationship between models and facts.  There is a continual interplay between the two, as the nature of light and the developing models for the hydrogen atom are discussed.  The historical development of the periodic table is followed by a discussion of the quantum mechanical model of the atoms beyond hydrogen in the periodic table.  Finally, a correlation is drawn between the properties of the elements, the quantum mechanical model, and the position of the elements in the periodic table.

You need to realize that observed facts about the elements need to be explained in terms of atomic structure, and that the proposed atomic structure needs to support and predict further observations.  Remember: a theory or model is a good one only if it continues to be supported by observed behavior.

Learning Goals for the chapter - successful mastery of this chapter means you are able:

• Section 1:  To characterize electromagnetic radiation in terms of wavelength, frequency, and speed

• Section 2:  To describe the concept of quantized energy

•                  To discuss both the wave properties and the particulate properties of light

•                  To describe how diffraction experiments were used to illustrate the dual nature of all matter

• Section 3:  To show that the line spectrum of hydrogen demonstrates the quantized nature of the energy of its electrons

• Section 4:  To describe the development of the Bohr model for the hydrogen atom

• Section 5:  To show how a standing wave can be used to describe electrons in atoms

•                  To state the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

•                  To explain the significance of electron probability distributions

• Section 6:  To explain the meaning of the quantum numbers n, l, and m

• Section 7:  To describe the shapes of orbitals designated by s, p, d, and f, and to discuss orbital energies

• Section 8:  To define electron spin and the electron spin quantum number, s

• Section 9:  To explain how the quantum mechanical model can be applied to atoms besides hydrogen

• Section 10:  To trace the development of the periodic table

• Section 11:  To explain the Aufbau Principle

• Section 12:  To show the general trends in ionization energy, electron affinity, and atomic radius on the periodic table

• Section 13:  To discuss information that can be obtained from the periodic table

Timeline for this chapter: test date is tentatively set for Tuesday, Dec. 7 (E day)

This chapter can be broken down into 5 convenient blocks of information, each of which can be covered in 1 or 2 class periods.  Since much of the information was taught last year, feel free to refer to last year's notes.  Of course, for the "AP twists" that will be introduced, you will need to read the AP textbook.  The CD-ROM should also be very helpful, especially with visualizing the quantum concepts.

Here's a rough outline that we can aim to achieve:

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