Gen Chem question....embarrassing!

[Matt2010]

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I fill like the correct answer given for this question is incorrect, but now I am confused, which is sad because it is Gen freaking Chem. Anyway, what is the correct answer:

What is the number of half-filled orbitals in one ground state atom of atomic number 16?

I say four, due to the fact that electrons must be added one at a time before doubling up (Hund's rule??). That leaves 4 half-filled orbitals and 2 unfilled orbitals...right? (They said 2!)

Thanks!

 

[MaverickPreDent]

for this you have to draw the little boxes and fill up using hund's rule and the aufbau principle. hope this helps. sorry if my drawing is a little crude.

 

[Danny289]

I fill like the correct answer given for this question is incorrect, but now I am confused, which is sad because it is Gen freaking Chem. Anyway, what is the correct answer:

What is the number of half-filled orbitals in one ground state atom of atomic number 16?

I say four, due to the fact that electrons must be added one at a time before doubling up (Hund's rule??). That leaves 4 half-filled orbitals and 2 unfilled orbitals...right? (They said 2!)

Thanks!

you don't have d orbitals, now try the question again. GL

 

[ethanyoo726]

atomic number 16 is Sulfur. so the electronic notation should look like this ...[Ne]3s2 3p4. So the s orbital is filled. The p-orbital can hold up to 6 electrons max. Also p-orbital has 3 slots, each for 2 electrons with opposite spins. According to Hund's Rule, you want to fill unoccupied slots before "doubling up". So since there are 4 electrons in the p orbital (3p4), the first 3 electrons will fill each of the three empty slots and the last electron will have to double up in one of those slots, leaving 2 half-filled orbitals.