Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct orbital diagram for sulfur (atomic number 16)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following electron configurations represents an atom of chlorine (atomic number 17) in an excited state?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 3p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4 4s^1
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3 3d^2
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the atomic number of chlorine is 17, which means a neutral chlorine atom has 17 electrons.
Write the ground state electron configuration for chlorine by filling orbitals in order of increasing energy until all 17 electrons are placed. The ground state configuration is $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5$.
Understand that an excited state occurs when one or more electrons are promoted to higher energy orbitals, leaving lower energy orbitals partially filled or less than fully occupied compared to the ground state.
Examine each given configuration to see if it has 17 electrons and if any electron is promoted to a higher energy orbital than in the ground state, indicating an excited state.
Identify the configuration where an electron from the $3s$ or $3p$ orbital is moved to a higher energy orbital (such as $3p$ fully filled or $4s$ occupied) while still totaling 17 electrons, which represents an excited state of chlorine.
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