Question

what is the highest occupied sublevel in the structure of an atom of arsenic?
a) 3p
b) 4p
c) 3d
d) 3s

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the electron configuration of arsenic

Arsenic has an atomic number of 33. Its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{10}4p^{3}\).

Step2: Identify the highest occupied sublevel

Looking at the electron configuration, the highest principal quantum number (\(n\)) is 4. Among the sublevels in \(n = 4\), the \(4p\) sublevel is occupied.

Answer:

B) 4p