Chapter 5, Problem 59A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The electron configuration for this atom and element is to be determined. The number of unpaired electrons is to be determined.

Concept Introduction: Electronic configurations refer to the arrangements of electrons in different orbitals around atoms' nuclei. The Aufbau principle, the Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule are three rules that can be used to determine the electronic configuration of atoms.

Answer to Problem 59A

The electronic configuration of the element is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^3$ and the element is Nitrogen. There are three unpaired electrons in it.

Explanation of Solution

The energy levels and symbols for each sub-level occupied by an electron are written for an atom's electrical configuration.

The atom has two electrons in the first energy level and five electrons in the second energy level.

So, there are seven electrons in the element. The element with seven electrons is Nitrogen.

The electronic configuration of the nitrogen atom is given as

  $\begin{array}{l}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^3\\ \boxed{\uparrow \downarrow }\boxed{\uparrow \downarrow }\boxed{\uparrow }\boxed{\uparrow }\boxed{\uparrow }\end{array}$

According to the orbital filling of electrons in nitrogen atom, there are three unpaired electrons.