Question

Which of the following electron configurations correspond to an excited state? Identify and write the ground state electron configuration where appropriate. a) 1s 2s 3p b) 1s 2s 2p c) [Ar] 4s? 3d$ 4p'

Answer 1

Let us check all. (a) Electronic configuration is given by:- 182 282 3p1 Since, in this case last one electron is present in the valence shell p-orbital. So, this electronic configuration does not correspond to an excited state electronic configuration. (b) Electronic configuration is given by:-

1s 2s2 3p4 Since, in this case last 4 electrons are present in the valence shell p-orbital. So, this electronic configuration does not correspond to an excited state electronic configuration. (c) Electronic configuration is given by:- [Ar] 4s2 3d5 4p?

Since, in this case last one electron is present in the higher energy orbital like 4p? even though the 3d orbital is not fulfilled. So, this electronic configuration corresponds to an excited state electronic configuration. Then the ground state electronic configuration is given by:- [Ar] 482 3d6