The following do not represent valid ground-state electron configurations for an atom either because they violate the Pauli exclusion principle or because orbitals are not filled in order of increasing energy. Indicate which of these two principles is violated in each example. b. 3Xe46s25d4

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Identify the given electron configuration: 3Xe46s25d4.

Recall the Pauli exclusion principle: No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.

Recall the Aufbau principle: Electrons fill orbitals starting with the lowest energy level first.

Check the order of filling: The 5d orbital should not be filled before the 4f orbital according to the Aufbau principle.

Determine the violation: The given configuration violates the Aufbau principle as the 5d orbital is filled before the 4f orbital.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. This means that each electron must occupy a unique state within an atom, which restricts the number of electrons that can occupy a given orbital. If an electron configuration violates this principle, it indicates that two electrons are occupying the same orbital with identical quantum numbers.

Aufbau Principle

The Aufbau Principle describes the order in which electrons fill atomic orbitals. According to this principle, electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the highest. This means that the 1s orbital is filled before the 2s, which is filled before the 2p, and so on. Violating this principle results in an incorrect electron configuration where higher energy orbitals are filled before lower ones.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration is the distribution of electrons among the various orbitals of an atom. It is typically represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and types of orbitals occupied by electrons. Understanding electron configurations is crucial for predicting an atom's chemical properties and behavior, as well as for identifying violations of fundamental principles like the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the Aufbau Principle.

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