Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a feature of the electron cloud model of an atom?
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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 sulfur (atomic number 16)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of sulfur, which is 16. This means sulfur has 16 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 order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: 1s (2 electrons), 2s (2 electrons), 2p (6 electrons), 3s (2 electrons), and then place the remaining electrons in 3p orbitals.
Step 4: Calculate the total electrons placed so far: 2 (1s) + 2 (2s) + 6 (2p) + 2 (3s) = 12 electrons. Since sulfur has 16 electrons, place the remaining 4 electrons in the 3p orbital.
Step 5: Write the electron configuration by combining all filled orbitals: $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{2} 3p^{4}$, which corresponds to the correct electron configuration for sulfur.
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