Question

1. what is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the 2p sublevel?

a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8

1. which of the following is the correct electron - configuration for an argon atom (atomic number 18)?

a) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶
b) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
c) 1s² 2s² 2p⁴ 3s² 3p⁶
d) 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹ 3p⁵

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - capacity of p - subshell

Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. The p - subshell has 3 orbitals ($p_x$, $p_y$, $p_z$). So the maximum number of electrons in a p - subshell is $2\times3 = 6$.

Step2: Recall electron - configuration rules for argon

Argon has an atomic number of 18. The electron - filling order is 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p. The 1s subshell can hold 2 electrons, the 2s subshell can hold 2 electrons, the 2p subshell can hold 6 electrons, the 3s subshell can hold 2 electrons, and the 3p subshell can hold 6 electrons. So the electron - configuration of argon is $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^6$.

Answer:

1. C. 6
2. A. $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^6$