Chapter 5, Problem 15STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for the given electronic configuration to be incorrect for germanium needs to be explained.

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}4d^{10}4p^2$

The correct electronic configuration for germanium needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Electronic configuration of an element explains how the electrons are distributed in their atomic orbitals. Electronic configurations of the atoms are written in such a way that the atomic sub-shells containing electrons are placed in a sequence and the number of electrons present in them is written in the superscript.

Explanation of Solution

Electronic configuration of an element explains how the electrons distributed in their atomic orbitals.

The incorrect electronic configuration is as follows:

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}4d^{10}4p^2$

In the above electronic configuration, the next energy level to the $4s$ energy level is $3d$. The electrons in d sublevel are in the third energy level not the fourth sublevel. Hence, the correct electronic configuration is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{10}4p^2$.