Question

How many \(p\) orbitals are filled with electrons in a xenon atom?

Short answer

A xenon atom has 4 p orbitals that are filled with electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Electron Configuration of Xenon

The electron configuration of Xenon is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6. The 's','p', and 'd' represent the type of orbital, while the number in front of these letters indicates the energy level or shell, and the number superscript is the number of electrons in that orbital.

Identify the p Orbitals

In the electron configuration, identify all the p orbitals. They are 2p, 3p, 4p, and 5p in xenon's electron configuration.

Count the Filled p Orbitals

Each p orbital can hold up to 6 electrons, so a filled p orbital will have 6 electrons. From the electron configuration of xenon, it can be seen that 2p has 6 electrons, 3p has 6 electrons, 4p has 6 electrons, and 5p also has 6 electrons. So, all these p orbitals are filled with electrons in a Xenon atom.

Key concepts

Xenon Atom

Xenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54. It belongs to the noble gases group in the periodic table, which are known for their stable and unreactive nature. These properties arise from their full outer electron shells, which make them energetically stable.
Xenon's electron configuration is key to understanding its chemical behavior. For xenon, the complete configuration is: \(1s^2\ 2s^2\ 2p^6\ 3s^2\ 3p^6\ 3d^{10}\ 4s^2\ 4p^6\ 4d^{10}\ 5s^2\ 5p^6\). This notation indicates the arrangement of electrons in various orbitals.
The numbers and letters in the electron configuration represent the main energy levels and orbitals, with the superscript denoting the number of electrons in each orbital. For xenon, this complete filling of orbitals results in its characteristic inertness.

p Orbitals

The "p" orbitals are a set of electron orbitals that are spherical in shape and appear starting from the second energy level. In an atom, p orbitals hold a significant role in determining chemical bonding properties.
Each main energy level from the second level upwards can have p orbitals, which are designated as 2p, 3p, 4p, and so on. Importantly, each p orbital can hold a maximum of six electrons.
In the case of xenon, the electron configuration includes four p orbital groups – 2p, 3p, 4p, and 5p. These groups play crucial roles in xenon's overall electron configuration, providing a basis for its stability and classification as a noble gas. Their full occupancy endorses xenon's tendency not to form compounds easily.

Filled Orbitals

Filled orbitals are those which contain the maximum number of electrons they can hold. When an orbital is filled, it contributes to the stability of the atom by minimizing the potential energy.
In xenon, several orbitals are completely filled, including all the p orbitals (2p, 3p, 4p, and 5p), each holding six electrons. This full occupancy is characteristic of noble gases, as it results in a stable, low-energy electron configuration.
A filled orbital not only plays a part in the stabilization of an atom but also dictates its reactivity. For xenon, the complete filling of these p orbitals accounts for its reluctance to engage in chemical reactions, thereby reinforcing its status as a noble gas.