Question

consider the four models of the carbon (c), oxygen (o), nitrogen (n), and hydrogen (h) atoms shown above. count the number of unpaired electrons in the outer shells of each of the four atoms. then, drag and drop the correct number of unpaired electrons to match it with the name of each atom.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - shell rules

The first shell can hold 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold 8 electrons. Atoms tend to fill their outer - shells for stability.

Step2: Analyze nitrogen

Nitrogen has 7 electrons. The first shell has 2 electrons, and the second shell has 5 electrons. The electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p³. There are 3 unpaired electrons in the 2p sub - shell.

Step3: Analyze oxygen

Oxygen has 8 electrons. The first shell has 2 electrons, and the second shell has 6 electrons. The electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁴. There are 2 unpaired electrons in the 2p sub - shell.

Step4: Analyze hydrogen

Hydrogen has 1 electron. It is in the 1s orbital, so it has 1 unpaired electron.

Step5: Analyze carbon

Carbon has 6 electrons. The first shell has 2 electrons, and the second shell has 4 electrons. The electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p². There are 2 unpaired electrons in the 2p sub - shell.

Answer:

Nitrogen: 3
Oxygen: 2
Hydrogen: 1
Carbon: 2