Question

use the periodic table to answer the questions below.

which diagram shows the correct electron configuration for nitrogen (n)?

Explanation:

Determine nitrogen's electron count

Using the Aufbau Principle knowledge point

$$ \text{Nitrogen (N) has atomic number } Z = 7 \implies 7 \text{ electrons.} $$

Apply orbital filling rules

Using the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hunds Rule knowledge points

• \(1s\) and \(2s\) subshells are fully filled with opposite-spin pairs: \(1s^2 2s^2\).
• The remaining 3 electrons enter the \(2p\) subshell.
• By Hund's Rule, they must singly occupy the three \(2p\) orbitals with parallel spins: \(\uparrow \ \uparrow \ \uparrow\).

Evaluate the given diagrams

• Diagram 1: Shows \(2p\) as \(\uparrow\downarrow \ \uparrow \ \_\). This violates Hund's Rule.
• Diagram 2: Shows \(2p\) as \(\uparrow \ \uparrow \ \uparrow\). This is correct.
• Diagram 3: Shows \(2p\) as \(\uparrow \ \uparrow \ \downarrow\). This violates Hund's Rule (spins are not parallel).

Answer:

• (A) \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\) with \(2p\) as \(\uparrow\downarrow \ \uparrow \ \_\)
• (B) \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\) with \(2p\) as \(\uparrow \ \uparrow \ \uparrow\) (Correct answer)
• (C) \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\) with \(2p\) as \(\uparrow \ \uparrow \ \downarrow\)