Dissagreement with practice test answer

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budda10000

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The electronic configuration of a
particular neutral atom is
1s22s22p63s23p2. What is the number of
unpaired electrons in this atom?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 0

I say B but the test answer key says C. I dont see how there could be 3 unpaired electrons.

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The electronic configuration of a
particular neutral atom is
1s22s22p63s23p2. What is the number of
unpaired electrons in this atom?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 0

I say B but the test answer key says C. I dont see how there could be 3 unpaired electrons.

Just 2.
 
lol the answer is right guys.

An atom doesnt exist in this 1s22s22p63s23p2 configuration because its not stable. This atom only exist in this 1s22s22p63s13p3 form (1/2s, 1/2p). Therefore, # of unpair e- is 3.

Hope it helps.
 
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lol the answer is right guys.

An atom doesnt exist in this 1s22s22p63s23p2 configuration because its not stable. This atom only exist in this 1s22s22p63s13p3 form (1/2s, 1/2p). Therefore, # of unpair e- is 3.

Hope it helps.

No. The ground state configuration of Si is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2, but that's besides the point. If a problem gives you a specific configuration, you're supposed to use that configuration, not rearrange it because you believe its unstable. AllahIsGreater already mentioned that it's been corrected in the errata.

The correct answer is 2.
 
no. The ground state configuration of si is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2, but that's besides the point. If a problem gives you a specific configuration, you're supposed to use that configuration, not rearrange it because you believe its unstable. Allahisgreater already mentioned that it's been corrected in the errata.

The correct answer is 2.

+1
 
No. The ground state configuration of Si is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2, but that's besides the point. If a problem gives you a specific configuration, you're supposed to use that configuration, not rearrange it because you believe its unstable. AllahIsGreater already mentioned that it's been corrected in the errata.

The correct answer is 2.

+2

lol the answer is right guys.

An atom doesnt exist in this 1s22s22p63s23p2 configuration because its not stable. This atom only exist in this 1s22s22p63s13p3 form (1/2s, 1/2p). Therefore, # of unpair e- is 3.

Hope it helps.

Actually, even if a 3s electron was promoted to the p oribtal, there would be 4 unpaired electrons, not 3. But like rock said, this isn't the case.
 
I dont think any of the DAT questions are that tricky.... but thansk for pointing out it was error. I got the practice exam online for free so i assumed it was a previous yrs.
 
I dont think any of the DAT questions are that tricky.... but thansk for pointing out it was error. I got the practice exam online for free so i assumed it was a previous yrs.

I would say this question is fair game. It's really not tricky at all, just had a wrong answer.
 
I would say this question is fair game. It's really not tricky at all, just had a wrong answer.
I was refering to an earlier reply that the question was a trick question..... The question is not difficult at all in my opinion. I could only hope the rest of the chem test is that simple
 
I was refering to an earlier reply that the question was a trick question..... The question is not difficult at all in my opinion. I could only hope the rest of the chem test is that simple

oops, sorry I misread your post. PAT practice makes my brain shutdown...
 
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