Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for an oxygen atom?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which sublevel is filled immediately after the 5s sublevel in the order of electron filling?
A
6s
B
4d
C
5p
D
4f
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill atomic orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to higher energy levels.
Identify the energy order of sublevels around the 5s sublevel. After 5s is filled, electrons fill the sublevel with the next lowest energy.
Remember that the order of filling is generally 5s → 4d → 5p → 6s → 4f, based on the (n + l) rule, where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number.
Calculate (n + l) for each candidate sublevel: for 4d, n=4 and l=2, so (4 + 2) = 6; for 5p, n=5 and l=1, so (5 + 1) = 6; for 6s, n=6 and l=0, so (6 + 0) = 6; for 4f, n=4 and l=3, so (4 + 3) = 7.
Since 4d, 5p, and 6s all have the same (n + l) value, the sublevel with the lower principal quantum number n fills first, which is 4d. Therefore, the 4d sublevel is filled immediately after 5s.
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