Core charge question

[PolySquared]

Hey guys,

Can someone please explain to me what core charge is and provide an official definition. Could you explain it so my 5 year old brain can understand it? Thanks.

[Yertle the Turtle]

Core charge is the number of positive charges in the nucleus, or the atomic number, minus the number of electrons in the non-valence shell. The valence shell is the outermost electron shell, and the core charge is the amount of charge from the nucleus that is focussed on the valence electrons, the number of positive charges not balanced by the inner shell electrons. Therefore the reactivity and bonding strength of the element is strongly related to it's core charge.

Hope this helps!

[PolySquared]

Core charge is the number of positive charges in the nucleus, or the atomic number, minus the number of electrons in the non-valence shell. The valence shell is the outermost electron shell, and the core charge is the amount of charge from the nucleus that is focussed on the valence electrons, the number of positive charges not balanced by the inner shell electrons. Therefore the reactivity and bonding strength of the element is strongly related to it's core charge.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for your response. So is core charge equal to the number of valence electrons in an atom?

[Yertle the Turtle]

Thanks for your response. So is core charge equal to the number of valence electrons in an atom?

Basically, just the atom, and not the ion. Always the no. of Protons minus the no. of inner shell electrons. Make sure you never confuse the atom with the ion.