Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of nitrogen?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct orbital diagram for a neutral germanium (Ge) atom?
A
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4p↑↓↑
B
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4p↑↓↑↓↑
C
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4p↑ ↑
D
1s↑↓ 2s↑↓ 2p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 3s↑↓ 3p↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4s↑↓ 3d↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓ 4p↑↓↑↓
Verified step by step guidance1
Determine the atomic number of germanium (Ge), which is 32. This means a neutral Ge atom has 32 electrons to place in orbitals.
Write the order of orbital filling based on the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, then 4p.
Fill the orbitals with electrons following Hund's rule and the Pauli exclusion principle: each orbital gets one electron before pairing, and each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.
Count the electrons as you fill: 1s (2), 2s (2), 2p (6), 3s (2), 3p (6), 4s (2), 3d (10), totaling 30 electrons so far, leaving 2 electrons to place in the 4p orbitals.
Place the remaining 2 electrons in the 4p orbitals, ensuring they occupy separate orbitals with parallel spins according to Hund's rule, resulting in two unpaired electrons in 4p.
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