Multiple Choice
Which of the following orbital diagrams correctly represents the ground state electron configuration of nitrogen (N)?
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following correctly represents the orbital diagram for arsenic (atomic number 33)?
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
Identify the total number of electrons in arsenic, which is 33, based on its atomic number.
Recall the order of orbital filling according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, then 4p.
Fill each orbital with electrons following Hund's rule and the Pauli exclusion principle: each orbital gets one electron before pairing, and each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.
Distribute the 33 electrons into the orbitals in the correct order, making sure to fill lower energy orbitals completely before moving to higher energy orbitals.
For the 4p orbitals, place the remaining electrons singly in each of the three 4p orbitals before pairing any, since arsenic has 5 electrons in the 4p subshell, resulting in three unpaired electrons.
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