2. In electron configurations for multielectron atoms, the orbitals are listed from lowest to highest energy. That being said, the order shows that the 5s orbital is listed before the 4d orbitals in a "proper" electron configuration. Please explain why this orbital ordering is unexpected and why it is believed to occur.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question
**Question:** 

In electron configurations for multielectron atoms, the orbitals are listed from lowest to highest energy. That being said, the order shows that the 5s orbital is listed before the 4d orbitals in a "proper" electron configuration. Please explain why this orbital ordering is unexpected and why it is believed to occur.

**Explanation:**

In multi-electron atoms, the electron configuration is determined by the increasing order of orbital energies, generally following the Aufbau principle. Typically, one would expect the 4d orbitals to fill before the 5s orbital because they belong to a lower principal quantum number, which often corresponds to lower energy.

However, this is not the case because the energy of orbitals is influenced by other factors such as electron shielding and orbital penetration. The 5s orbital, despite having a higher principal quantum number, has a significant degree of penetration closer to the nucleus and is less shielded by inner electrons compared to 4d orbitals. This results in the 5s orbital being lower in energy than the 4d orbitals and filling first.

This phenomenon is rooted in quantum mechanical principles and reflects the actual observed behavior in electron configurations of transition metals and other elements. Understanding this ordering helps explain the chemical and physical properties of elements in the periodic table.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** In electron configurations for multielectron atoms, the orbitals are listed from lowest to highest energy. That being said, the order shows that the 5s orbital is listed before the 4d orbitals in a "proper" electron configuration. Please explain why this orbital ordering is unexpected and why it is believed to occur. **Explanation:** In multi-electron atoms, the electron configuration is determined by the increasing order of orbital energies, generally following the Aufbau principle. Typically, one would expect the 4d orbitals to fill before the 5s orbital because they belong to a lower principal quantum number, which often corresponds to lower energy. However, this is not the case because the energy of orbitals is influenced by other factors such as electron shielding and orbital penetration. The 5s orbital, despite having a higher principal quantum number, has a significant degree of penetration closer to the nucleus and is less shielded by inner electrons compared to 4d orbitals. This results in the 5s orbital being lower in energy than the 4d orbitals and filling first. This phenomenon is rooted in quantum mechanical principles and reflects the actual observed behavior in electron configurations of transition metals and other elements. Understanding this ordering helps explain the chemical and physical properties of elements in the periodic table.
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Periodic Table and Trends
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY