Question

Scientists have speculated that element 126 might have a moderate stability, allowing it to be synthesized and characterized. Predict what the condensed electron configuration of this element might be.

Short answer

The condensed electron configuration for element 126 is predicted to be: \[ [Rn] 5f^{14} 6d^{10} 7s^{2} 7p^{4} \]

Step-by-step solution

Determine the atomic number

Element 126 is given; this means that it has an atomic number (Z) of 126. The atomic number tells you the number of protons and electrons in an atom.

Find the periods and blocks of the periodic table

The periodic table is organized into periods and blocks based on the electron configuration of the elements. The periods correspond to the principal quantum numbers (n) of the electron orbitals. The blocks are labeled s, p, d, and f, based on the type of atomic orbital being filled.

Fill in the atomic orbitals

For predicting the electron configuration, follow the Aufbau principle (building-up principle), which suggests filling orbitals in the order of increasing energy levels. In simpler terms, start with the lowest energy levels and work your way up. Here's how to fill the orbitals for element 126: 1. Fill in the 1s orbital: 1s² (2 electrons, 124 remaining) 2. Fill in the 2s orbital: 2s² (2 electrons, 122 remaining) 3. The order then goes 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d 4. Fill in the orbitals following the order, allocating the correct number of electrons in each orbital (2 for s, 6 for p, 10 for d, and 14 for f) 5. Stop whenever you have allocated all 126 electrons

Determine the condensed electron configuration

Once you have filled in all the orbitals, arrange the electron configuration in the periodic table order, and indicate the superscripts determining the number of electrons in each orbital. For element 126, the condensed electron configuration will be: \[ [Rn] 5f^{14} 6d^{10} 7s^{2} 7p^{4} \] Here, [Rn] refers to Radon, a noble gas that comes before element 126 in the periodic table. Its electron configuration is written in condensed form, representing the configurations of all the elements before it. The rest of the configuration represents the remaining electrons in their respective orbitals.