/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 36 Which of the following is the co... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for chromium in the ground state? A. \([\mathrm{Ar}] 3 \mathrm{~d}^4 5 \mathrm{~s}^2\) B. \([\mathrm{Kr}] 4 \mathrm{~d}^5 5 \mathrm{~s}^1\) C. \([\operatorname{Ar}] 4 \mathrm{~s}^1 4 \mathrm{p}^5\) D. \([\operatorname{Ar}] 3 \mathrm{~d}^5 4 \mathrm{~s}^1\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
D: \([\text{Ar}] 3d^5 4s^1\)

Step by step solution

01

Understand Electron Configurations

An electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons among the various orbitals in an atom. The electrons fill the orbitals in a specific order based on the energy levels and subshells.
02

Determine the Order of Filling

Electrons fill according to the Aufbau principle, which states that lower-energy orbitals fill before higher-energy orbitals. For elements, the order is typically: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, etc.
03

Note Chromium's Electron Configuration

Chromium has an atomic number of 24, so it has 24 electrons. However, chromium is an exception to the expected order due to electron stability preferences.
04

Recognize Special Cases

Chromium is a special case where the electron configuration is not as predicted. Instead of filling 3d with 4 electrons and 4s with 2 electrons, one electron from the 4s orbital moves to the 3d orbital to provide a more stable, half-filled 3d subshell.
05

Identify the Correct Configuration

The unique electron configuration for chromium results in \([\text{Ar}] 3d^5 4s^1\). This provides a more stable configuration due to the half-filled d subshell.
06

Confirm the Correct Answer

Among the given options, option D: \([\text{Ar}] 3d^5 4s^1\) is the correct electron configuration for chromium in the ground state.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Electron Configuration
The electron configuration of an atom describes how electrons are distributed in different orbitals around the nucleus. This configuration helps to understand the atom's chemical behavior.
Electrons occupy orbitals starting from the lowest energy level, moving up to higher levels. For example, they fill the 1s orbital before moving to the 2s orbital.
Using notations like [Ar] 3d^5 4s^1, we can represent the electron configuration succinctly. Here, [Ar] represents the electron configuration of argon, and 3d^5 4s^1 shows the arrangement of additional electrons.
Aufbau Principle
The Aufbau principle is essential for determining the correct electron configuration. It states that electrons fill lower-energy orbitals before occupying higher-energy ones. This principle ensures that atoms achieve the most stable, lowest energy configuration possible.
For most elements, the filling order is straightforward: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, and so forth.
However, exceptions like chromium occur due to electron stability preferences, where electrons rearrange for a more stable configuration.
Atomic Number
The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in its nucleus, which also equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom. For chromium, it has 24 protons, so its atomic number is 24.
This means chromium has 24 electrons to distribute among its orbitals. Understanding the atomic number is key to determining an element's electron configuration accurately.
Special cases like chromium's unique electron configuration show that the atomic number guides the initial electron distribution, but stability factors can lead to rearrangements.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Latent heat flux is the loss of heat by the surface of a body of water caused by evaporation. To determine the latent heat flux over the Atlantic Occan, onc would necd to know A. \(\Delta H_{\text {fusion }}\) of water. B. \(\Delta H_{\text {vaporization }}\) of water. C. \(\Delta H_{\text {sublimation }}\) of water. D. \(\Delta H_{\text {ionization }}\) of water.

What property contributes to the high electronegativity found in the fluorine atom? A. Small atomic radius B. Small number of protons in the nucleus C. Large number of electrons in the orbit D. Large number of electron shells in the orbit

What theory could be used to determine the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in water at sea level? A. Henry's law B. Boyle's law C. Raoult's law D. Le Châtelier's principle

Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, is \(\mathrm{PtCl}_2\left(\mathrm{NH}_3\right)_2\). What type of bond forms between each of the \(\mathrm{NH}_3\) groups and the central platinum? A. Coordinate covalent bond B. Polar covalent bond C. Nonpolar covalent bond D. Ionic bond

Consider two scuba tanks at sea level and \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Tank 1 is filled with oxygen, and tank 2 is filled with a mixture of oxygen and helium. Will there be a difference in the root-mean-square velocities between these two tanks? A. Yes, tank 2 has a higher root-mean-square velocity. B. Yes, tank 1 has a higher root-mean-square velocity. C. No, they will have the same root-mean-square velocity. D. The root-mean-square velocity cannot be calculated for the tanks.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on English Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.