Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for technetium (Tc, atomic number 43)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for tellurium (Te, atomic number 52)?
A
[Kr] 5s^2 4d^10 5p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^6 5s^2 4d^10 5p^6
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^6 5s^2 4d^10 5p^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^6 5s^2 4d^8 5p^6
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of tellurium (Te), which is 52. This means Te has 52 electrons to be placed in orbitals according to the Aufbau principle.
Recall the order of filling orbitals based on increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, etc.
Start filling electrons into orbitals following this order until all 52 electrons are assigned. Remember the maximum electrons per orbital type: s (2), p (6), d (10).
Use the noble gas shorthand notation to simplify the configuration by replacing the core electrons with the symbol of the previous noble gas, which is krypton (Kr) for Te.
Check the final electron configuration to ensure the total number of electrons sums to 52 and that the valence electrons correspond to the expected group for tellurium, which is 5s^2 4d^{10} 5p^4.
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