Question

Write an abbreviated ground state electron configuration for (a) \(\mathrm{N}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Nb}\) (c) \(\mathrm{Na}\) (d) Ni (e) \(\mathrm{Nd}\)

Short answer

Short Answer: (a) Nitrogen (N): $$[\mathrm{He}] 2s^2 2p^3$$ (b) Niobium (Nb): $$[\mathrm{Kr}] 5s^2 4d^4$$ (c) Sodium (Na): $$[\mathrm{Ne}] 3s^1$$ (d) Nickel (Ni): $$[\mathrm{Ar}] 4s^2 3d^8$$ (e) Neodymium (Nd): $$[\mathrm{Xe}] 6s^2 4f^4$$

Step-by-step solution

(a) Nitrogen (N) Electron Configuration

Locate Nitrogen in the periodic table, which has an atomic number 7. Write its electron configuration in the order of increasing energy levels: $$1s^2 2s^2 2p^3$$ Nitrogen is in period 2, so the preceding noble gas is Helium (He). Abbreviate the configuration using He to replace the inner shell electrons: $$[\mathrm{He}] 2s^2 2p^3$$

(b) Niobium (Nb) Electron Configuration

Locate Niobium in the periodic table, which has an atomic number 41. Write its electron configuration in the order of increasing energy levels: $$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 4d^4$$ Nb is in period 5, so the preceding noble gas is Krypton (Kr). Abbreviate the configuration using Kr to replace the inner shell electrons: $$[\mathrm{Kr}] 5s^2 4d^4$$

(c) Sodium (Na) Electron Configuration

Locate Sodium in the periodic table, which has an atomic number 11. Write its electron configuration in the order of increasing energy levels: $$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1$$ Sodium is in period 3, so the preceding noble gas is Neon (Ne). Abbreviate the configuration using Ne to replace the inner shell electrons: $$[\mathrm{Ne}] 3s^1$$

(d) Nickel (Ni) Electron Configuration

Locate Nickel in the periodic table, which has an atomic number 28. Write its electron configuration in the order of increasing energy levels: $$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^8$$ Nickel is in period 4, so the preceding noble gas is Argon (Ar). Abbreviate the configuration using Ar to replace the inner shell electrons: $$[\mathrm{Ar}] 4s^2 3d^8$$

(e) Neodymium (Nd) Electron Configuration

Locate Neodymium in the periodic table, which has an atomic number 60. Write its electron configuration in the order of increasing energy levels: $$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^6 5s^2 4d^{10} 5p^6 6s^2 4f^4$$ Nd is in period 6, so the preceding noble gas is Xenon (Xe). Abbreviate the configuration using Xe to replace the inner shell electrons: $$[\mathrm{Xe}] 6s^2 4f^4$$