Multiple Choice
Which electron configuration represents a violation of the Auf Bau Principle?
9. Electrons in 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 in the outermost p orbitals for each element. Unpaired electrons are those that do not have a pair in the same orbital.
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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