2007 DAT Question

[Graphire]

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The electronic configuration of a
particular neutral atom is
1s22s22p63s23p2. What is the number of
unpaired electrons in this atom?

How is the answer 3?
Isn't it 2?

 

[msteeth]

The electronic configuration of a
particular neutral atom is
1s22s22p63s23p2. What is the number of
unpaired electrons in this atom?

How is the answer 3?
Isn't it 2?

oh yes answer is2

 

[Graphire]

Doesn't unpaired electrons imply that there is at least 1 electron in that orbital?
If there's no electrons in an orbital doesn't that mean its not filled at all and not unpaired?

 

[Member 8586]

The electronic configuration of a
particular neutral atom is
1s22s22p63s23p2. What is the number of
unpaired electrons in this atom?

How is the answer 3?
Isn't it 2?

my version has the answer as 2

 

[jhc83]

the answer is 2....there is no electrons in the third orbital...thus, no unpaired electrons...