Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of vanadium (atomic number 23)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of manganese (atomic number 25)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1 3d^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^5
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^6 4s^2
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^7 4s^1
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of manganese, which is 25. This means a neutral manganese atom has 25 electrons to arrange in orbitals.
Recall the order of orbital filling based on the Aufbau principle: electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to higher ones, typically following the sequence 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, then 3d.
Fill the orbitals with electrons according to their capacities: 1s can hold 2, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, 3s can hold 2, 3p can hold 6, 4s can hold 2, and 3d can hold 10 electrons maximum.
Distribute the 25 electrons in order: fill 1s^2, 2s^2, 2p^6, 3s^2, 3p^6, then 4s^2, and finally place the remaining electrons in 3d orbitals.
Remember that for transition metals like manganese, the 4s orbital fills before 3d, and the electron configuration often reflects a half-filled or fully filled d subshell for extra stability, which explains why manganese has a 3d^5 configuration rather than 3d^6 or 3d^7.
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