Multiple Choice
How many sublevels are present in the second shell (n = 2) of an atom?
4
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for chlorine (atomic number 17)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of chlorine, which is 17. This means chlorine has 17 electrons to be placed in orbitals according to the Aufbau principle.
Step 2: Recall the order of filling orbitals based on increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and so on.
Step 3: Fill the orbitals with electrons following the maximum capacity of each: 1s can hold 2 electrons, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, 3s can hold 2, and 3p can hold 6.
Step 4: Add electrons sequentially until all 17 electrons are assigned: 1s^2 (2 electrons), 2s^2 (2 electrons), 2p^6 (6 electrons), 3s^2 (2 electrons), and then place the remaining electrons in 3p orbitals.
Step 5: Since 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 12 electrons are assigned before 3p, the remaining 5 electrons go into 3p, making the configuration 3p^5 for chlorine.
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