Multiple Choice
What is the electron configuration for a neutral atom of titanium?
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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What is the electron configuration of phosphorus (P) using [Ne] to represent the configuration of the first 2 periods?
A
[Ne] 3s1 3p4
B
[Ne] 3s2 3p3
C
[Ne] 3s2 3p2
D
[Ne] 3s2 3p4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of phosphorus (P), which is 15. This means phosphorus has 15 electrons.
Use the noble gas shorthand notation to simplify the electron configuration. The noble gas preceding phosphorus is neon (Ne), which has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶, accounting for 10 electrons.
Subtract the 10 electrons accounted for by [Ne] from the total 15 electrons of phosphorus, leaving 5 electrons to be placed in the 3rd energy level.
Distribute the remaining 5 electrons in the 3rd energy level: fill the 3s subshell first with 2 electrons, resulting in 3s².
Place the remaining 3 electrons in the 3p subshell, resulting in 3p³. Therefore, the electron configuration of phosphorus is [Ne] 3s² 3p³.
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