Question

Give electronic configuration of the following elements: (20) i) Ca ii) Ar iii) Si

Answer 1

Answer:

i) Ca = [Ar] 4s2

ii) Ar = [Ne] 3s2 3p6

III) Si = [Ne] 3s2 3p2

Explanation:

The Moeller diagram or Diagonals Rule is used to remember the order of filling of the atomic orbitals. It is simply a mnemonic rule.

The way to construct this diagram is to write the atomic energy levels (from 1 to 7) and the corresponding sub-levels next to it. Then diagonal lines are drawn from top to bottom.

The objective of the electronic configuration is to be clear about the distribution and the energetic order of the atoms, specifically, the distribution of the different levels and sub-levels of energy.

Electronic configuration:

Ca (Z= 20)

Ca: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

Ar (Z= 18)

Ar: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

Si (Z= 14)

Si: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2