Chapter 12, Problem 12.1E

In the Stern-Gerlach experiment, silver atoms were used. This was a good choice, as it turned out. Using the electron configuration of silver atoms, explain why silver was a good candidate for being able to observe the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron. (Hint: Don’t use the aufbau principle to determine the electron configuration of $\text{Ag}$, because it’s one of the exceptions. Look up the exact electron configuration in a table.)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason as to why silver was a good candidate for being able to observe the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron in the Stern-Gerlach experiment is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Stern and Gerlach performed an experiment in which a beam of silver atoms was passed through a magnetic field. They observed that the beam of silver atoms was splitted into two different beams. The result of the experiment concluded that every electron has an intrinsic angular momentum that they termed it as spin angular momentum.

Answer to Problem 12.1E

Silver was a good candidate for being able to observe the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron in the Stern-Gerlach experiment as it has only one unpaired electron in its $5s$ orbital.

Explanation of Solution

The electron configuration of $\text{Ag}$ in terms of noble gas notation is written below.

$\left[\text{Kr}\right]4d^{10}5s^1$

The presence of an unpaired electron in silver makes its interaction possible with the external magnetic field. The interaction between spin of this unpaired electron and external magnetic field resulted in the discovery of intrinsic angular momentum of the electron.

Conclusion

Silver was a good candidate for being able to observe the intrinsic angular momentum of the electron in the Stern-Gerlach experiment as it has only one unpaired electron in its $5s$ orbital.