Multiple Choice
How many electrons are present in a neutral atom of vanadium (atomic number 23)?
4
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral oxygen atom?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^4
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^2
D
1s^2 2s^2 3s^2
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of oxygen, which is 8. This means a neutral oxygen atom has 8 electrons.
Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and so on.
Step 3: Fill the orbitals with electrons starting from the lowest energy level: 1s can hold 2 electrons, 2s can hold 2 electrons, and 2p can hold up to 6 electrons.
Step 4: Distribute the 8 electrons accordingly: 2 electrons in 1s, 2 electrons in 2s, and the remaining 4 electrons in 2p.
Step 5: Write the electron configuration as $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{4}$, which correctly represents the electron distribution for a neutral oxygen atom.
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