Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for zirconium (atomic number 40)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the ground state electron configuration for the element tin (Sn)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 5p^4
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 4d^{10} 5p^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 4d^{10} 5p^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 4d^8 5p^4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of tin (Sn), which is 50. This tells us the total number of electrons to place in the electron configuration.
Recall the order of filling orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, which is: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, and so on.
Start filling the orbitals with electrons following the order above, making sure to respect the Pauli exclusion principle (maximum two electrons per orbital) and Hund's rule (maximize unpaired electrons in degenerate orbitals).
Count the electrons as you fill each subshell until you reach 50 electrons total, which corresponds to the ground state electron configuration of tin.
Compare the resulting configuration with the given options to identify which one correctly represents the ground state electron configuration of tin.
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