Question

Indicate the number of unpaired electrons in : (a) P, (b) Si, (c) Cr, (d) Fe and (e) Kr.

Answer 1

(a) Phosphorus (P): Atomic number = 15
The electronic configuration of P is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3
The orbital picture of P can be represented as:
From the orbital picture, phosphorus has three unpaired electrons.
(b) Silicon (Si): Atomic number = 14
The electronic configuration of Si is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2
The orbital picture of Si can be represented as:
From the orbital picture, silicon has two unpaired electrons.
(c) Chromium (Cr): Atomic number = 24
The electronic configuration of Cr is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d5
The orbital picture of chromium is:
From the orbital picture, chromium has six unpaired electrons.
(d) Iron (Fe): Atomic number = 26
The electronic configuration is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d6
The orbital picture of chromium is:
From the orbital picture, iron has four unpaired electrons.
(e) Krypton (Kr): Atomic number = 36
The electronic configuration is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6
The orbital picture of krypton is:
Since all orbitals are fully occupied, there are no unpaired electrons in krypton.