Question

multiple choice 1 point consider the electron energy orbital diagram for the sodium atom (shown at the left) in its ground state (lowest energy state): which orbital(s) shown in the diagram contain(s) electrons that should require the most energy to remove? 1s orbital 2s orbital 2p orbitals 3s orbital

Explanation:

Sodium (Na) has an electron configuration of \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1\). Electrons in higher - energy orbitals require more energy to remove. The energy of orbitals increases in the order \(1s < 2s < 2p < 3s\). The \(1s\) orbital is the innermost and lowest - energy orbital, so electrons in the \(1s\) orbital are held most tightly by the nucleus. Removing an electron from a lower - energy orbital requires more energy. Among the given options, the \(1s\) orbital has the lowest energy (electrons are most tightly bound), so removing an electron from the \(1s\) orbital requires the most energy.

Answer:

A. 1s orbital