In: Chemistry
The following valence-shell configuration is possible for a neutral atom of a certain element. What is the element, and is this the ground state or an excited state of this element? ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↓ 2s 2px 2py 2pz
element =
Is this the ground state or an excited state of this atom?
ground state excited state
The number of electron in principle quantum number n = 6. Note that there is another shell before this ie n= 1, which can occupy 2 electron
Thus the atomic number of atom is 8.
Element is oxygen
electronic configuration of oxygen in the ground state.
[He] 2s2,2px2,2py1,2pz1 . This is according to Hunds rule.
As per Hund's rule, the pairing of electrons in orbital will takes place only after singly occupying all the degenerate states of the same orbital. Also, this is the lowest energy configuration
Given configuration is
He] 2s2,2px2,2py2,2pz0
This is not obeying Hund's rule. It has higher energy than the configuration mentioned above. Thus this atom is in an excited state.