Multiple Choice
What is the total number of valence electrons in a molecule of SO_2?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following elements has two unpaired electrons in its ground-state electron configuration?
A
Oxygen (O)
B
Neon (Ne)
C
Magnesium (Mg)
D
Nitrogen (N)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the number of unpaired electrons in an element depends on its ground-state electron configuration, which is determined by filling orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle.
Write the electron configuration for each element: Oxygen (O), Neon (Ne), Magnesium (Mg), and Nitrogen (N).
Determine the distribution of electrons in the outermost p orbitals for each element, since unpaired electrons typically appear in these orbitals.
Apply Hund's rule, which states that electrons fill degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up, to find how many unpaired electrons each element has.
Compare the number of unpaired electrons for each element and identify which one has exactly two unpaired electrons.
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