Question

if all the orbitals shown in the three - dimensional model are completely filled, how many electrons does this element have?
a. 4
b. 6
c. 10
d. 18

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - orbital capacity

An s - orbital can hold 2 electrons and a p - orbital (which has 3 sub - orbitals) can hold 6 electrons. If we assume the model shows one s - orbital and three p - orbitals (a common orbital set in electron configuration).

Step2: Calculate total electrons

The total number of electrons is the sum of electrons in s and p orbitals. So, \(2+6 = 8\) is incorrect if we consider a full s and full p set. But if we consider a d - orbital set (5 d - sub - orbitals) which can hold \(2\times5=10\) electrons when completely filled. Since no information about s or p is given and we assume only d - orbitals are shown, the number of electrons when d - orbitals are completely filled is 10.

Answer:

C. 10