Question

which of the following is true about the electron configurations of the representative elements?
the electrons with the highest energy are in a d sublevel.
the highest occupied s and p sublevels are partially filled.
the highest occupied s and p sublevels are completely filled.
the electrons with the highest energy are in an f sublevel.

Explanation:

Representative elements (also known as main - group elements) have their valence electrons in the outermost \(s\) and \(p\) sub - levels. These elements are in groups 1, 2 ( \(s\) - block) and groups 13 - 18 ( \(p\) - block).

• For \(s\) - block elements (groups 1 and 2), the \(s\) sub - level is partially filled (group 1: \(ns^{1}\), group 2: \(ns^{2}\)).
• For \(p\) - block elements (groups 13 - 18), the \(s\) sub - level is usually filled (\(ns^{2}\)) and the \(p\) sub - level is partially filled (\(np^{1 - 6}\)).
• Transition elements have their highest - energy electrons in \(d\) sub - levels and inner transition elements have their highest - energy electrons in \(f\) sub - levels.

Answer:

The highest occupied \(s\) and \(p\) sublevels are partially filled.