Chapter 5, Problem 80A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The electrons occupy equal energy orbitals singly before beginning to pair up is to be related and explained.

Concept Introduction : Electronic configurations refer to the arrangements of electrons in different orbitals around atoms' nuclei. The Aufbau principle, the Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule are three rules that can be used to determine the electronic configuration of atoms.

Answer to Problem 80A

The electrons occupy equal energy orbitals singly before beginning to pair up because the electrons are arranged according to Hund’s rule.

Explanation of Solution

According to Hund’s rule, until every orbital in that subshell has one electron in it, or until it is completely occupied, pairs of electrons cannot exist in orbitals that belong to the same subshell (p, d, or f).

The pairing of electrons will begin in the p, d, and f orbitals with the entry of the fourth, sixth, and eighth electrons, respectively, because there are three p, five d, and seven f orbitals.

So, the electrons first occupy the equal orbitals, and then the pairing of electrons in the orbital takes place.