Multiple Choice
Which change to the electron configuration of nitrogen (atomic number 7) would result in a stable, noble gas configuration?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct orbital diagram for a neutral carbon atom?
A
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑↓ ↑
B
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑↓
C
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑ ↑
D
1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑ 2p: ↑ ↑ ↑
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of electrons in a neutral carbon atom. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so it has 6 electrons.
Step 2: Fill the electrons into the orbitals following the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to higher ones: 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: Fill the 1s orbital with 2 electrons (↑↓), then the 2s orbital with 2 electrons (↑↓), which accounts for 4 electrons so far.
Step 5: Place the remaining 2 electrons in the 2p orbitals. According to Hund's rule, these two electrons will occupy two separate 2p orbitals with parallel spins (↑ ↑), resulting in the orbital diagram: 1s: ↑↓ 2s: ↑↓ 2p: ↑ ↑.
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