Question

20 question (2 points) consider the atom whose electron - configuration is ne3s²3p⁴. part 1 (1 point) write the one - or two - letter symbol for the element. part 2 (1 point) how many unpaired electrons are there in the ground state of this atom?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the element from electron - configuration

The electron - configuration is [Ne]3s²3p⁴. Neon (Ne) has 10 electrons. The 3s²3p⁴ part adds 2 + 4=6 more electrons. So the total number of electrons is 10 + 6 = 16. The element with 16 electrons is sulfur (S).

Step2: Determine the number of unpaired electrons

The p - subshell has 3 orbitals and can hold a maximum of 6 electrons. According to Hund's rule, electrons fill orbitals singly first before pairing up. In the 3p⁴ configuration, 3 electrons fill the 3 orbitals singly and the 4th electron pairs up with one of them. So there are 2 unpaired electrons.

Answer:

Part 1: S
Part 2: 2