Multiple Choice
Which element has the ground state electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following sketches best represents a d orbital in the electron configuration of an atom?
A
A spherical region centered around the nucleus
B
A torus (donut)-shaped region around the nucleus
C
A dumbbell-shaped region with two lobes
D
A cloverleaf-shaped region with four lobes
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that atomic orbitals describe regions in space where there is a high probability of finding an electron. Each type of orbital (s, p, d, f) has a characteristic shape.
Understand that s orbitals are spherical, representing a uniform probability distribution around the nucleus.
Recognize that p orbitals have a dumbbell shape with two lobes oriented along the x, y, or z axis.
Know that d orbitals are more complex and typically have shapes such as cloverleafs with four lobes or a donut-shaped region combined with lobes.
Therefore, the d orbital is best represented by a cloverleaf-shaped region with four lobes, distinguishing it from spherical (s) or dumbbell (p) shapes.
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