Multiple Choice
Which of the following electron configurations correctly represents the placement of electrons around a nitrogen atom?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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When writing the electron configuration for plutonium (atomic number 94), which of the following is the correct ending for its configuration?
A
5f^7 6d^1 7s^2
B
5f^6 7s^2
C
5f^5 6d^1 7s^2
D
4f^14 6d^10 7s^2
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of plutonium, which is 94. This means plutonium has 94 electrons to be placed in orbitals according to the Aufbau principle.
Step 2: Recall the order of filling orbitals, which generally follows the sequence: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, and so on. For actinides like plutonium, the 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals are important.
Step 3: Understand that the electron configuration for actinides involves filling the 5f orbitals after 7s, but there can be exceptions due to electron stability and energy considerations, such as half-filled or fully filled subshells.
Step 4: Write the electron configuration up to the element before plutonium (uranium, atomic number 92), then add the remaining electrons to reach 94, paying attention to the distribution in 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals.
Step 5: Compare the given options by checking which ending corresponds to the correct number of electrons in the 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals for plutonium, considering the stability of half-filled subshells (like 5f^6) and the total electron count.
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