Multiple Choice
Which of the following atoms or ions does NOT have a filled outer subshell?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
What is the maximum number of unpaired d electrons that an atom or ion can possess?
A
5
B
10
C
2
D
7
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that d orbitals can hold a maximum of 10 electrons because there are 5 d orbitals and each orbital can hold 2 electrons with opposite spins.
Understand that according to Hund's rule, electrons fill degenerate orbitals singly first, with parallel spins, to maximize the number of unpaired electrons.
Since there are 5 d orbitals, placing one electron in each orbital results in 5 unpaired electrons, which is the maximum number of unpaired d electrons possible.
Adding more electrons beyond 5 will start pairing electrons in the orbitals, thus reducing the number of unpaired electrons.
Therefore, the maximum number of unpaired d electrons an atom or ion can have is equal to the number of d orbitals, which is 5.
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