Electron Configurations and Periodic Trends

What does electronic configuration describe?

• The arrangement of protons in an atom's nucleus.

• The total number of neutrons in an atom.

• The arrangement of electrons in various shells and subshells.

• The mass of an atom.

What does the period number of an element on the periodic table indicate?

• The number of protons in the nucleus.

• The highest energy shell (valence shell) where electrons are found.

• The group number of the element.

• The type of subshell (s, p, d, or f) of its outermost electrons.

Elements in the s-block of the periodic table have their outermost electrons located in which subshell?

• p-subshell

• d-subshell

• s-subshell

• f-subshell

How can you determine the number of electrons in the outermost p-subshell for an element in the p-block?

• By counting the number of periods the element is in.

• By counting the number of squares to the right within its p-block.

• By looking at the element's atomic number.

• By subtracting the group number from 18.

What is the ground state electron configuration for Lithium (Li)?

• 1s1

• 1s2

• 1s2 2s1

• 1s2 2s2

What is the ground state electron configuration for Carbon (C)?

• 1s2 2s2 2p1

• 1s2 2s2 2p2

• 1s2 2s1 2p3

• 1s2 2s2 2p6

When writing the electron configuration for d-block elements, how does the principal quantum number (n) of the d-orbital relate to the period number?

• The d-orbital's principal quantum number is equal to the period number.

• The d-orbital's principal quantum number is one less than the period number.

• The d-orbital's principal quantum number is two less than the period number.

• The d-orbital's principal quantum number is one greater than the period number.

What is the noble gas shorthand electron configuration for Scandium (Sc)?

• [Ne] 4s2 3d1

• [Ar] 4s2 3d1

• [Kr] 4s2 3d1

• [Ar] 3d1 4s2