Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of nickel (Ni)?
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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What is the condensed electron configuration of bismuth (Bi)?
A
[Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s2 6p3
B
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3
C
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p2
D
[Xe] 4f13 5d10 6s2 6p3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of bismuth (Bi), which is 83. This tells us the total number of electrons in a neutral bismuth atom.
Start with the electron configuration of xenon (Xe), which is the nearest noble gas preceding bismuth. Xenon has an atomic number of 54, so it accounts for the first 54 electrons.
Add the electrons beyond xenon, starting with the 4f subshell. The 4f subshell can hold a maximum of 14 electrons, so we fill it completely: 4f14.
Next, fill the 5d subshell. The 5d subshell can hold a maximum of 10 electrons. Since bismuth is in the 6th period, we fill the 5d subshell completely: 5d10.
Finally, fill the 6s and 6p subshells. The 6s subshell holds 2 electrons: 6s2, and the 6p subshell holds 3 electrons: 6p3. Combine these to get the condensed electron configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3.
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