Question

An atom holds 7 electrons. use orbital notation to model the probable location of its electrons.

Answer 1

Answers:

(a) 1s² 2s²2p³; (b) 1s² 2s²2p⁶ 3s²3p⁶ 4s²3d²; (c) 1s² 2s²2p⁶ 3s²3p⁵

Step-by-step explanation:

One way to solve this problem is to add electrons to the orbitals one-by-one until you have added the required amount.

Fill the subshells in the order listed in the diagram below. Remember that an s subshell can hold two electrons, while a p subshell can hold six, and a d subshell can hold  ten.

(a) Seven electrons

1s² 2s²2p³

There are two electrons in the 2s subshell and three in the 2p subshell. The remaining two electrons are in the inner 1s subshell.

(b) 22 electrons

1s² 2s²2p⁶ 3s²3p⁶ 4s²3d²

There are two electrons in the 4s subshell and two in the 2p subshell. The remaining 18 electrons are in the inner subshells.

(c) 17 electrons

1s² 2s²2p⁶ 3s²3p⁵

There are two electrons in the 3s subshell and five in the 2p subshell. The remaining 10 electrons are in the inner subshells.