Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of carbon?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following correctly represents the electron configuration for a neutral germanium (Ge) atom using an orbital diagram?
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 tells you the total number of electrons in a neutral atom. Germanium has an atomic number of 32, so it has 32 electrons.
Recall the order in which orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, and then 4p.
Fill the orbitals with electrons following Hund's rule and the Pauli exclusion principle: each orbital gets one electron with parallel spins before pairing occurs, and no orbital can have more than two electrons with opposite spins.
Write out the electron configuration in terms of orbitals and electron spins, making sure the total number of electrons adds up to 32 and the distribution matches the filling order and rules.
Compare the given options to your constructed electron configuration, checking that the 4p orbitals have the correct number of electrons and spin arrangement for germanium's 32 electrons.
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