State the number of (i) sub-levels (subshells), (ii) orbitals, occupied by electrons in an argon atom in its ground state. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question a - 2012
Question a
State the number of (i) sub-levels (subshells), (ii) orbitals, occupied by electrons in an argon atom in its ground state.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:State the number of (i) sub-levels (subshells), (ii) orbitals, occupied by electrons in an argon atom in its ground state. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question a - 2012
Step 1
(i) sub-levels (subshells)
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Answer
In the ground state of an argon atom (Ar), the electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶. The subshells present are 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p, leading to a total of 5 subshells.
Step 2
(ii) orbitals
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Answer
In the electron configuration of argon, the total number of orbitals can be calculated as follows: 1s (1 orbital), 2s (1 orbital), 2p (3 orbitals), 3s (1 orbital), and 3p (3 orbitals). Therefore, the total number of orbitals is 1 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 3 = 9 orbitals.
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