select the correct answer. which is the correct orbital diagram for carbon? a. 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑ ↑ b. 1s ↑↓…

select the correct answer. which is the correct orbital diagram for carbon? a. 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑ ↑ b. 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ c. 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑ 2p ↑ ↑ ↑ d. 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↓ ↑
Answer
Answer:
A. 1s: $\uparrow\downarrow$, 2s: $\uparrow\downarrow$, 2p: $\uparrow$ $\uparrow$ $;$
Explanation:
Step1: Recall carbon's electron - configuration
Carbon has 6 electrons. Its electron - configuration is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{2}$.
Step2: Apply Aufbau principle
Electrons fill lower - energy orbitals first. 1s is filled with 2 electrons (spin - paired, $\uparrow\downarrow$), then 2s is filled with 2 electrons (spin - paired, $\uparrow\downarrow$).
Step3: Apply Hund's rule
For the 2p sub - shell (which has 3 orbitals), the 2 electrons in 2p occupy different orbitals with parallel spins according to Hund's rule. So, there are two unpaired electrons in different 2p orbitals with spins in the same direction.