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When asked to say how many unpaired electrons are in an electron configuration we simply look at the valance shell and count the number of unpaired electrons: i.e.
1S^2 2S^2 2P^3 the valance electron are in the P orbital and there are three unpaired electrons
However when having electron configurations of higher #'s a bit of interesting thing occures
i.e. ...4s^2 3d^6
here do we look at the Valance electrons
(4s orbital) or do we look at the orbital with higher energy (the 3d orbital)
A) agree with 4s orbital (therefore in this case Zero unpaired electrons)
B) agree with 3d orbital (therefore in this case Four unpaired electrons)
Interested?
1S^2 2S^2 2P^3 the valance electron are in the P orbital and there are three unpaired electrons
However when having electron configurations of higher #'s a bit of interesting thing occures
i.e. ...4s^2 3d^6
here do we look at the Valance electrons
(4s orbital) or do we look at the orbital with higher energy (the 3d orbital)
A) agree with 4s orbital (therefore in this case Zero unpaired electrons)
B) agree with 3d orbital (therefore in this case Four unpaired electrons)
Interested?