Question

use the periodic table to answer the questions below. which diagram shows the correct electron configuration for nitrogen (n)?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine nitrogen's atomic number

Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, so it has 7 electrons.

Step2: Apply electron - filling rules

Electrons fill orbitals in the order 1s, 2s, 2p. The 1s orbital can hold 2 electrons, the 2s orbital can hold 2 electrons, and the remaining 3 electrons go into the 2p orbitals. According to Hund's rule, electrons in degenerate (equal - energy) orbitals (like the three 2p orbitals) first fill each orbital singly with parallel spins before pairing up.

Answer:

The second diagram (with two electrons in 1s, two electrons in 2s, and three unpaired electrons in 2p) shows the correct electron configuration for nitrogen.