South Pasadena • AP Chemistry                                                    Name
8 ▪ Atomic Theory                                                                Period                 Date
                   8.2 PROBLEMS                      – ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
1. For each of the following elements, write: (i) its short form ground state electron configuration, (ii) the
   number of valence electrons, (iii) the number of unpaired electrons, (iv) whether it’s paramagnetic or
   diamagnetic, (v) its most likely ion(s), and (vi) the short form electron configuration of its most likely ion.
      Element       Electron Configuration   # Valence e− #Unpaired e−   Para | Dia   Likely Ion(s)   Electron Configuration
         Se          [Ar] 4s2 3d10 4p4           6             2           Para           Se2−         [Ar] 4s2 3d10 4p6
                                                                                          In+            [Kr] 5s2 4d10
         In          [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p1           3             1           Para
                                                                                          In3+            [Kr] 4d10
         Ba               [Xe] 6s2               2             0           Dia            Ba2+                  [Xe]
         W            [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d4          2             4           Para           W6+                 [Xe] 4f14
         Ag
       exception       [Kr] 5s1 4d10             1             1           Para           Ag+              [Kr] 4d10
         Cd            [Kr] 5s2 4d10             2             0           Dia            Cd2+             [Kr] 4d10
                                                                                          Sn2+           [Kr] 5s2 4d10
         Sn          [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2           4             2           Para
                                                                                          Sn4+            [Kr] 4d10
         Xe          [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p6           8             0           Dia            Xe6+           [Kr] 5s2 4d10
2. The PES spectrum for Mg is
   shown. Sketch in the spectrum
   for Al on the same axes.
3. The PES spectra of H,
   He, Li, and Be are given.
   Sketch in the spectrum
   for B above the other
   spectra.
4. Label each of the                   25             20               15           10                    5                0
   following spectra using                                         Binding Energy (MJ/mol)
    electron configuration notation
    (1s2, 2s2, etc.) and determine the identity of each element.
                                                                                                              2p
                                        1s                                                              2s
            Ne
                                                                                                                  2p
                                                   1s                                                        2s
            F
                                                                   1s                                         2s2p
            O
                                                                        1s                                             2p
                                                                                                              2s
            N
                                                                              1s                                   2s       2p
            C
                                                                                      1s                               2s 2p
            B
                                   90        80   70      60       50   40     30      20           5                         0
                                                                                                         Binding
                                   Energy (MJ/mol)
5. Which of the following best explains the relative positioning and intensity of the 2s peaks in the following
   spectra?
    (A) Be                                                                                                                  has a
        greater nuclear charge than Li and more electrons in the 2s orbital
    (B) Be electrons experience greater electron-electron repulsions than Li electrons
    (C) Li has a greater pull from the nucleus on the 2s electrons, so they are harder to remove
    (D) Li has greater electron shielding by the 1s orbital, so the 2s electrons are easier to remove