Multiple Choice
Which electron configuration represents a violation of the Auf Bau Principle?
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table
The Electron Configuration (Simplified)
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Which of the following atoms has the most unpaired electrons?
A
B
B
Si
C
P
D
O
E
Cl
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the electron configuration for each element. This will help determine the number of unpaired electrons. The elements in question are B (Boron), Si (Silicon), P (Phosphorus), O (Oxygen), and Cl (Chlorine).
Write the electron configuration for each element: B: 1s² 2s² 2p¹, Si: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p², P: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³, O: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴, Cl: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵.
Determine the number of unpaired electrons by examining the electron configuration, particularly the outermost p orbitals, as these are where unpaired electrons are most likely to be found.
For Boron (B), there is 1 unpaired electron in the 2p orbital. For Silicon (Si), there are 2 unpaired electrons in the 3p orbital. For Phosphorus (P), there are 3 unpaired electrons in the 3p orbital. For Oxygen (O), there are 2 unpaired electrons in the 2p orbital. For Chlorine (Cl), there is 1 unpaired electron in the 3p orbital.
Compare the number of unpaired electrons for each element. Phosphorus (P) has the most unpaired electrons with 3 unpaired electrons in its 3p orbital.
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