Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Aufbau Principle
The Aufbau Principle states that electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals first before filling higher energy levels. For carbon, which has six electrons, the correct order of filling is 1s², 2s², and then 2p². This principle is fundamental in determining the electron configuration of elements.
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Pauli Exclusion Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle asserts that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. This means that an orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, which must have opposite spins. In the provided configuration, if the same orbital is shown with two electrons having the same spin, this principle is violated.
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Hund's Rule
Hund's Rule states that electrons will fill degenerate orbitals (orbitals of the same energy) singly before pairing up. In the case of the 2p orbitals for carbon, the correct configuration should show one electron in each of the three 2p orbitals before any pairing occurs. This rule helps minimize electron-electron repulsion and stabilizes the atom.
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