An oxygen atom has eight protons.
(a) Sketch in the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus of the oxygen atom in the following diagram.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the atomic structure of oxygen. Oxygen has 8 protons in its nucleus, which means it also has 8 electrons surrounding the nucleus in a neutral atom.

Step 2: Recall the electron shell capacity. The first electron shell (closest to the nucleus) can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons.

Step 3: Distribute the 8 electrons into the shells. Place 2 electrons in the first shell and the remaining 6 electrons in the second shell.

Step 4: Sketch the electrons as dots or small circles on the respective shells around the nucleus. The inner circle (first shell) should have 2 electrons evenly spaced, and the outer circle (second shell) should have 6 electrons spaced evenly around it.

Step 5: Verify that the total number of electrons (2 in the first shell + 6 in the second shell) equals 8, matching the number of protons in the nucleus for a neutral oxygen atom.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Structure

An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons arranged in energy levels or shells. The number of protons defines the element, while electrons balance the charge and determine chemical behavior.

Electron Shells and Energy Levels

Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific shells or energy levels, each with a maximum capacity (first shell holds 2, second holds 8). Electrons fill the lowest energy levels first, influencing the atom's stability and reactivity.

Electron Configuration of Oxygen

Oxygen has 8 electrons arranged as 2 in the first shell and 6 in the second shell. This configuration explains oxygen's chemical properties and its tendency to form bonds by gaining or sharing electrons to complete its outer shell.

An oxygen atom has eight protons.(a) Sketch in the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus of the oxygen atom in the following diagram.