Multiple Choice
Given the following orbital diagram (core electrons not shown):↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↑ ↑3s 3p 4s 3dWhat element is designated by this orbital diagram?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following orbital diagrams for the 2p subshell of carbon (atomic number 6) represents a violation of Hund's rule?
A
↑↓ _ _
B
↑↓ ↑ _
C
↑ ↑ _
D
↑ _ ↑
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that carbon has an atomic number of 6, meaning it has 6 electrons. The electron configuration up to the 2p subshell is 1s² 2s² 2p², so the 2p subshell contains 2 electrons.
Understand Hund's rule: electrons occupy degenerate orbitals (orbitals of the same energy, like the three 2p orbitals) singly first, with parallel spins, before pairing up in any one orbital.
Analyze each orbital diagram for the 2p subshell, which has three orbitals. Check if the two electrons are placed singly in separate orbitals with parallel spins or if they are paired in one orbital while others remain empty.
Identify the diagram that shows two electrons paired in the same orbital while another orbital is empty, which violates Hund's rule because electrons should occupy separate orbitals first.
Conclude that the orbital diagram with two electrons paired in one 2p orbital and an empty second 2p orbital violates Hund's rule, while the others that show electrons singly occupying separate orbitals with parallel spins follow Hund's rule.
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