Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct orbital diagram for the ion Mo^{3+}?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct orbital diagram for a neutral vanadium atom (atomic number 23)?
A
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑ 3d↑↑↑↑↑
B
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3d↑↑↑↑↑ 4s↑↓
C
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↑↑
D
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↑↑↑↑
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the electron configuration of a neutral vanadium atom, which has an atomic number of 23, meaning it has 23 electrons to place in orbitals.
Recall the order of orbital filling based on the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, then 3d.
Fill the orbitals following Hund's rule and the Pauli exclusion principle: each orbital in a subshell gets one electron before any gets a second, and electrons in the same orbital have opposite spins.
For vanadium, after filling 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p orbitals completely, place 2 electrons in the 4s orbital and then distribute the remaining electrons in the 3d orbitals.
Recognize that vanadium has 5 electrons in the 3d subshell, so according to Hund's rule, these 5 electrons will occupy five separate 3d orbitals with parallel spins, and the 4s orbital will be fully occupied with 2 electrons.
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