Question

From the symbol ${}_{16}^{32}S$ state:
a.) Atomic number of sulphur
b.) Mass number of sulphur
c.) Electronic configuration of sulphur

Answer 1

The chemical representation of any element of periodic table is being done following some rules.according to which the chemical symbol gives information about its periodic position in the table which is ${}_{Z}^{A}X$ where $A$ is the mass number of the element and $Z$ is the atomic number of the element.
Once the atomic number is known ,its electronic configuration and hence all physical and chemical properties can be found.

Complete step by step answer:
So according to the rules laid down to find the mass number and atomic number of the element.
We are given the element ${}_{16}^{32}S$
So by comparing it with the standard form we can see that the atomic number for sulphur is $16$ and its mass number is $32$.

a.) Answer for the first part of the question is $16$.
b.) Answer for the second part of the question is $32$.
c.) Now as we know the atomic number of sulphur, we can easily find the electronic configuration also the filling of the orbitals and shells of sulphur atoms takes place according to aufbau’s principle.
The orbital energy is in accordance to
$1s<2s<2p<3s<3p$
The $s$ orbital can hold $2$ electrons
The $p$ orbital can hold $6$ electrons
The $d$ orbital can hold $10$ electrons
The $f$orbital can hold $14$ electrons

Number of electrons in sulphur-$16$
So according to above rules,the electronic configuration is $1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{4}}$.

Note: The electronic configuration of any element gives us information about the chemical and physical properties of it.
- Always full filled and half filled orbitals are more stable.
- $d$ and $f$ orbitals have less shielding effect as compared to $s$ and $p$.
- $3s$ is a higher energy state than $2p$.