Multiple Choice
Which electron configuration corresponds to a neutral boron atom (atomic number 5) in the simplified orbital notation?
26
views
9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
The Electron Configuration (Simplified)
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the ground-state electron configuration for zinc (Zn, atomic number 30)?
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of zinc (Zn), which is 30. This means zinc has 30 electrons to place in its electron configuration.
Recall the order of filling electron orbitals according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, then 3d.
Write the electron configuration up to argon (Ar), which accounts for 18 electrons: \([\mathrm{Ar}] = 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6\).
Next, fill the 4s orbital with 2 electrons, since 4s fills before 3d, so now you have \([\mathrm{Ar}] 4s^2\).
Finally, place the remaining electrons (30 - 18 - 2 = 10) into the 3d orbital, resulting in \([\mathrm{Ar}] 4s^2 3d^{10}\), which is the ground-state electron configuration for zinc.
Related Videos
Related Practice
