Multiple Choice
Which atom has the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which one of the following is the correct orbital diagram for a nitrogen atom (atomic number 7)?
A
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑↓ ↑
B
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑ 2p: ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
C
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑↓ ↑↓
D
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑ ↑ ↑
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the total number of electrons in a nitrogen atom. Since nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, it has 7 electrons to place in orbitals.
Step 2: Fill the orbitals following the Aufbau principle, which states electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to higher ones: first 1s, then 2s, then 2p.
Step 3: Apply the Pauli exclusion principle, which allows a maximum of two electrons per orbital with opposite spins, and Hund's rule, which states that electrons occupy degenerate orbitals singly first with parallel spins before pairing up.
Step 4: Place 2 electrons in the 1s orbital (completely filled), 2 electrons in the 2s orbital (completely filled), and then distribute the remaining 3 electrons in the three 2p orbitals singly, each with parallel spins, according to Hund's rule.
Step 5: Verify that the orbital diagram matches the configuration: 1s: ↑↓, 2s: ↑↓, and 2p: ↑ ↑ ↑, which correctly represents the ground state electron configuration of nitrogen.
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