Multiple Choice
Which ground-state atom has an electron configuration described by the following orbital diagram?1s: ↑↓2s: ↑↓2p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of vanadium (atomic number 23)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^2 4s^3
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^5 4s^1
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1 3d^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of vanadium, which is 23. This means a neutral vanadium atom has 23 electrons to place in orbitals.
Recall the order of filling orbitals according to the Aufbau principle: $1s \rightarrow 2s \rightarrow 2p \rightarrow 3s \rightarrow 3p \rightarrow 4s \rightarrow 3d$.
Fill the orbitals in order with electrons, remembering that the $4s$ orbital fills before the $3d$ orbital. So, after filling $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6$, place electrons in $4s$ before $3d$.
Distribute the remaining electrons (after filling up to $3p^6$) into $4s$ and $3d$ orbitals. Since $4s$ fills first, place 2 electrons in $4s$ and the remaining 3 electrons in $3d$ to total 23 electrons.
Verify that the electron configuration matches the total number of electrons (23) and follows the correct filling order and Hund's rule, resulting in $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^3$.
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