Question

9cw2
which of the following is true about the electron configurations of the representative elements?
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.
the electrons with the highest energy are in a d sublevel.

Explanation:

Representative elements (also known as main - group elements) have their valence electrons in \(s\) and \(p\) orbitals. The electron configuration of representative elements is such that the highest - occupied \(s\) and \(p\) sublevels are partially filled. For example, alkali metals (\(n s^{1}\)) have one electron in the \(s\) sublevel (partially filled \(s\)), and halogens (\(n s^{2}n p^{5}\)) have partially filled \(p\) sublevels.
The highest - occupied \(s\) and \(p\) sublevels are not completely filled in representative elements (noble gases have completely filled \(s\) and \(p\) sublevels and are not considered representative elements in the traditional sense). Electrons with the highest energy in representative elements are in \(s\) or \(p\) sublevels, not \(f\) or \(d\) sublevels. Transition elements have electrons in \(d\) sublevels as their valence - like electrons in some cases, and inner - transition elements have electrons in \(f\) sublevels.

Answer:

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