Answer:
(a) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
(b) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵
(c) sp³
(d) No valence orbital remains unhybridized.
Explanation:
<em>Consider the SCl₂ molecule. </em>
<em>(a) What is the electron configuration of an isolated S atom? </em>
S has 16 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴.
<em>(b) What is the electron configuration of an isolated Cl atom? </em>
Cl has 17 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵.
<em>(c) What hybrid orbitals should be constructed on the S atom to make the S-Cl bonds in SCl₂? </em>
SCl₂ has a tetrahedral electronic geometry. Therefore, the orbital 3s hybridizes with the 3 orbitals 3 p to form 4 hybrid orbital sp³.
<em>(d) What valence orbitals, if any, remain unhybridized on the S atom in SCl₂?</em>
No valence orbital remains unhybridized.
