Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for a nitrogen atom?
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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 a neutral bromine (Br) atom?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^5
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^4
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 5s^1
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6
Verified step by step guidance1
Determine the atomic number of bromine (Br), which tells you the total number of electrons in a neutral atom. Bromine has an atomic number of 35, so it has 35 electrons.
Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, and so on.
Start filling the orbitals with electrons, following the maximum capacity of each orbital type: s orbitals hold 2 electrons, p orbitals hold 6, and d orbitals hold 10.
Fill the orbitals in order until you have placed all 35 electrons. This means filling up to 4p orbitals, since bromine is in period 4 and group 17 (halogens).
Check the final electron configuration to ensure it matches the total number of electrons (35) and follows the correct filling order without violating the Pauli exclusion principle or Hund's rule.
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