Multiple Choice
Which species has the electron configuration [Ar] 3d^2?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct noble gas notation for the electron configuration of chlorine?
A
[Ne] 3p2 3p5
B
[Ne] 3s2 3p3
C
[Ne] 3s2 3p5
D
[Ne] 4s2 4p5
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that noble gas notation expresses the electron configuration by starting with the electron configuration of the nearest previous noble gas, followed by the remaining electrons in the outer shells.
Identify the atomic number of chlorine, which is 17, meaning chlorine has 17 electrons to place in its electron configuration.
Recognize that the noble gas preceding chlorine is neon (Ne), which has 10 electrons, so the configuration starts with [Ne].
Determine the remaining 7 electrons after neon's 10, which will fill the 3s and 3p orbitals: 2 electrons in 3s and 5 electrons in 3p, giving 3s² 3p⁵.
Combine these to write the noble gas notation for chlorine as $[Ne] 3s^{2} 3p^{5}$, which matches the correct answer.
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