Question

Write the distribution of electrons in Carbon and sodium atoms.

Answer 1

Hint: The atomic number is equal to the number of electrons revolving the nucleus of that neutral atom. It is also equal to the number of protons in the atom’s nucleus. Filling of electrons in its shells starts from the shell which is closest to the nucleus.

Complete step by step solution:
We know that the atomic number of carbon is 6 as the atomic number of sodium is 11. Electrons are filled in an orbit according to the energy of the orbital. Filling starts from the lower energy orbit, that is the inner orbit or K shell. Then comes the L shell and then M shell. K shell can only occupy 2 electrons. L shell can occupy a maximum up to 8 electrons and M shell can also occupy 8 electrons in it. The next shell can occupy 18 electrons.
First let us consider carbon atoms. Carbon atoms belong to group 14 of the periodic table. It has a total 6 electrons around its nucleus. It has 6 protons and 6 neutrons. Here, K shell occupies the first two electrons. So, 2 out of 6 is occupied in the K shell, the remaining four electrons occupy the L shell. The M shell has no electrons.

Next let us consider sodium atoms. It belongs to the group 1 of the periodic table. It is a metal. It has atomic number 11 that means there are 11 electrons revolving around the nucleus of a sodium atom. It has 11 protons and 12 neutrons. So, we start the filling of electrons from the K shell. K shell occupies 2 electrons. The L shell can occupy only 8 electrons. So, 10 electrons are filled in the K shell and M shell. The 1 electron left is occupied in the M shell.
Thus, the distribution of electrons in carbon atom is
K shell-2 electrons
L shell-4 electrons
M shell-0

In case of sodium atom
K shell-2 electrons
L shell-8 electrons
M shell-1 electron

Note: We should always note that the filling of electrons starts from the K shell and it can only occupy 2 electrons. While L shell and M shell can occupy a maximum of 8 electrons each.