Question

atomic orbitals (see 117)

1. is the following sentence true or false? an orbital is a region of space around the nucleus where an electron is likely to be found.

use this table to answer questions 8 and 9.

energy level	number of orbitals	maximum number of electrons
2	4	8
3	9	18
4	16	32

1. higher energy levels have ______ orbitals than lower energy levels do.
2. the maximum number of electrons in an energy level is ______ times the number of orbitals.

electron configurations (page 118)

1. circle the letter of the number of energy levels needed for a lithium atoms three electrons when the atom is in its ground - state.

a. one
b. two
c. three

1. is the following sentence true or false? an excited state is less stable than a ground state.
2. circle the letters of each sentence that is true when all of the electrons in an atom are in orbitals with the lowest possible energies.

a. the electrons are in the most stable configuration.
b. the electrons are in an unstable configuration.
c. the atom is in its ground state.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic orbital definition

An orbital is indeed a region of space around the nucleus where an electron is likely to be found. So the answer to the first - question is true.

Step2: Analyze energy levels and orbitals

From the table, as the energy level increases, the number of orbitals increases. So higher energy levels have more orbitals than lower energy levels.

Step3: Determine electron - orbital relationship

Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. So the maximum number of electrons in an energy level is 2 times the number of orbitals.

Step4: Consider lithium electron configuration

Lithium has 3 electrons. Its electron configuration in the ground state is 1s²2s¹. It needs two energy levels (n = 1 and n = 2).

Step5: Evaluate excited and ground states

An excited state has higher energy and is less stable than the ground state. So the statement is true.

Step6: Analyze electron energy configuration

When all electrons in an atom are in orbitals with the lowest possible energies, the electrons are in the most stable configuration and the atom is in its ground state.

Answer:

1. True
2. more
3. 2
4. b. two
5. True
6. a. The electrons are in the most stable configuration.; c. The atom is in its ground state.