spdf orbital configuration and energy transitions of electrons

How many e- can fit in an orbital?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

Answer explanation

orbitals are the 3D regions of high probability for finding an e-. It is the concept of the Wave-Mechanical Model of the atom (the modern, most sophisticated model of the atom)

Each orbital can hold 2 e-.

Because the 1st energy level has only 1 orbital (an s orbital), it can hold a max of 2 e-

2nd energy level has space for 4 total orbitals ( one s orbital and three p orbitals), and thus space for 8 e-.

Label the three parts of an electron configuration:

d

e

g

family

orbital type

number of electrons

protons

principal energy level

section

group

How many e- can fit in the first principal energy level? (i.e. "first shell")

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 8

Since carbon has 6 total electrons and each orbital can hold 2 e-, how many occupied s orbitals does it have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 8

Answer explanation

there is the first level s orbital,

the second level s orbital

and then some second level p orbitals.

configuration for a carbon atom is 1s²2s²2p²

(our Regents-level configuration is 2-4 ... 2 in 1st level and 4 in second level... which is what the spdf notation is saying also)

What is the spdf orbital e- notation for an atom of Mg?

(hint... the electrons in the p orbitals are described together.)

• 2-8-2

• 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²

• 1s²2s²2p⁶

• 2-8

• 1s²2p⁸2s²

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Which of the following would be an "excited state" orbital notation for an atom of Mg?

• 2,8,1,1

• 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹3p¹

• 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²

• 2,8

• 1s²2p⁸2s²

Answer explanation

1s²2s²2p⁶3s² would be the notation for a "ground state" atom of magnesium where all electrons are filling as low energy as they can.

1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹3p¹ means that an electron has transitioned from 3s to 3p since 3s is not full.

What is the simplified e- notation for an atom of Mg?

(hint... it would be based on the Bohr Planetary model)

• 2-8-2

• 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²

• 1s²2s²2p⁶

• 2-8

• 1s²2p⁸2s²

What is the orbital e- notation for an atom of oxygen?

• 1s²

• 1s²2s²

• 1s²2s²2p²

• 1s²2s²2p⁴

• 1s²2s²2p⁶

Answer explanation

1s²2s²2p⁴ has a total of 8 electrons.

The ^{superscripted numbers} are the actual e-. The other notation simply describes their principal energy level and the type of orbital they are in.

in our simplified e- configuration of 2-6 for an atom of oxygen, the s orbital electrons and the p orbital electrons are lumped together to be the "6" in the 2nd shell.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

What number is missing, #, in this orbital notation e- configuration for an atom of nitrogen? 1s²2s^#2p³

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Which of the following would represent an energy transition that would cause the emission of light ?

(Note: "n" stands for Principal Energy Level in these answer choices)

• from n = 2 to n = 3

• from n = 3 to n = 6

• from n = 3 to n = 5

• from n = 3 to n = 1

Answer explanation

Going from a higher principal energy level (3) to a lower one (1) would mean the electron is dropping in energy.

In order to do that, it must release energy.

It releases a photon of light.