Multiple Choice
Which of the following pairs of elements have the same ground-state electron configuration?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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In an atom of hydrogen, where is the highest-energy electron located?
A
In the 4f orbital
B
In the 3d orbital
C
In the 1s orbital
D
In the 2p orbital
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that in a hydrogen atom, the energy of an electron depends primarily on the principal quantum number $n$, where lower $n$ means lower energy and higher $n$ means higher energy.
Identify the principal quantum numbers for each orbital: 1s has $n=1$, 2p has $n=2$, 3d has $n=3$, and 4f has $n=4$.
Understand that the electron in hydrogen occupies the lowest energy orbital available, which is the 1s orbital with $n=1$.
Recognize that orbitals with higher $n$ values (like 2p, 3d, 4f) have higher energy levels and are unoccupied in the ground state of hydrogen.
Therefore, the highest-energy electron in a hydrogen atom is located in the 1s orbital, as it is the only electron and it occupies the lowest energy level.
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