Multiple Choice
How many electrons are present in a neutral atom of zirconium (Zr)?
2
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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 an atom of silicon?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of silicon, which is 14. This means a neutral silicon atom has 14 electrons.
Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and so on.
Step 3: Distribute the 14 electrons into the orbitals following the order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: 1s (2), 2s (2), 2p (6), 3s (2), 3p (6).
Step 4: Fill the orbitals step-by-step: 1s^2 (2 electrons), 2s^2 (2 electrons), 2p^6 (6 electrons), 3s^2 (2 electrons), and then place the remaining 2 electrons in 3p orbitals as 3p^2.
Step 5: Write the full electron configuration as $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2$, which corresponds to the correct distribution of 14 electrons in silicon.
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