BRAINCAKEs, p, d and f Block
The chemistry of each element is determined by its electron configuration, in particular, the number of electrons in the outermost (highest energy) shell. As you go down a group, there is an extra shell, but the same number of electrons in the outermost shell.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Electron configuration
- The arrangement of electrons in an atom's shells and sub-shells, written using numbers and letters such as 1s2 2s2.
- Group
- A vertical column of the periodic table, containing elements with the same number of outer-shell electrons.
More in Periodicity
- The Periodic Table
- Metals and Non-Metals
- Groups
- Periods
- Reactivity
- Hydrogen and Helium
- Periodicity and Period 3 Elements
- Trends in Melting and Boiling Points
All 14 lessons in Periodicity · All AQA AS-level Chemistry topics