genchem question half filled orbitals

[joonkimdds]

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

atomic number 16 has s2p4.
it has 4 unpaired electrons in p orbitals so shouldn't it be 4?
but the correct answer was 2.

 

[teethguy]

it has 4 electrons in P orbital
P orbital has 3 subshell --> x,y,z
of the 4 electrons, first 3 are used to fill each x,y, and z
then the 4th one is used to fill x or any one of them ---as a result two subshell are left unpaired

sorry if i used wrong terms

 

[dentista123]

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

atomic number 16 has s2p4.
it has 4 unpaired electrons in p orbitals so shouldn't it be 4?
but the correct answer was 2.

No.... P = ______, ________, _______,

There are 3 p orbitals with 2 electrons per orbital.

So... (I = electron)

p^4 = II____, I , I ,

You fill in the orbitals one electron at a time and then you go back and fill whatever you can. Now you have one pair (II) and two half filled, paramagnetic, or unpaired orbitals.

 

[joonkimdds]

awwww, stupid me.
I got confused between P and D 🙂
I can't believe it. Thank you guys.