Question

Using complete subshell notation (1s22s22p6, and so forth), predict the electron configuration of each of the following atoms: a) C b) P c) Sb

Answer 1

Answer: a) $C:6:1s^22s^22p^2$

b) $P:15:P:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^3$

c) $Sb:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^{10}4p^64d^{10}5s^25p^3$

Explanation:

Electronic configuration represents the total number of electrons that a neutral element contains. We add all the superscripts to know the number of electrons in an atom.

The electrons are filled according to Afbau's rule in order of increasing energies and thus the electronic configuration:

a) $C:6:1s^22s^22p^2$

b) $P:15:P:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^3$

c) $Sb:1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^{10}4p^64d^{10}5s^25p^3$