Chemistry question from ADA test

[txlonghorn]

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Ok so the question asks the following:

The electron configuration of an atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2. What is the number of unpaired electrons in this atom?

The answer is 3. How? Doesn't this atom have 2 unpaired electrons occupying the p orbital? 1_ , 1_ ,and _ _ ? To

 

[UndergradGuy7]

Ok so the question asks the following:

The electron configuration of an atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2. What is the number of unpaired electrons in this atom?

The answer is 3. How? Doesn't this atom have 2 unpaired electrons occupying the p orbital? 1_ , 1_ ,and _ _ ? To

I agree with two.

 

[msusha15]

well i think its because if its sitting on 2 unparied in the last P orbital it will borrow one from the last S orbital to have half filled shells, which are more desirable ----> gives you 3 unpaired electrons

 

[DemQ]

well i think its because if its sitting on 2 unparied in the last P orbital it will borrow one from the last S orbital to have half filled shells, which are more desirable ----> gives you 3 unpaired electrons

this is only true for electrons jumping from 4s2 to make a full or half full d orbital. Also, if what you said was true, you would have 5 unpaired electrons then.

I think this is just a bad problem worded incorrectly.

 

[Troyvdg]

^ agreed. It should be two. hopefully they don't throw anything at you like this on the real DAT lol

 

[DemQ]

Ok so the question asks the following:

The electron configuration of an atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2. What is the number of unpaired electrons in this atom?

The answer is 3. How? Doesn't this atom have 2 unpaired electrons occupying the p orbital? 1_ , 1_ ,and _ _ ? To

dude ! i just took that test and the correct answer does say that it is 2.

pay more attention buddy =]