Multiple Choice
Which of the following electron configurations best represents how electrons are arranged in the energy levels of a carbon atom?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following electron configurations is impossible?
A
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d2
B
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2
C
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p7
D
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1
Verified step by step guidance1
Review the rules for electron configurations, including the maximum number of electrons allowed in each subshell: s (2 electrons), p (6 electrons), d (10 electrons), and f (14 electrons).
Examine each given electron configuration and check if any subshell exceeds its maximum electron capacity. For example, verify if any p subshell has more than 6 electrons or any s subshell has more than 2 electrons.
Identify the configuration '1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p7' and note that the 3p subshell is shown with 7 electrons, which exceeds the maximum allowed 6 electrons for a p subshell.
Confirm that the other configurations respect the maximum electron limits per subshell and follow the Aufbau principle (filling order), Hund's rule, and Pauli exclusion principle.
Conclude that the configuration with 3p7 is impossible because it violates the maximum electron capacity rule for the p subshell.
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