Use the following orbital-filling diagram to show the electron configuration for As:

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. The goal is to determine the electron configuration for arsenic (As) using the orbital-filling diagram. Arsenic has an atomic number of 33, meaning it has 33 electrons to distribute among its orbitals.
2. Step 2: Recall the order of orbital filling based on the Aufbau principle. Electrons fill orbitals in the following order: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p. Each orbital has a specific capacity: s orbitals hold 2 electrons, p orbitals hold 6, and d orbitals hold 10.
3. Step 3: Begin filling the orbitals. Start with the 1s orbital and continue filling each subsequent orbital until all 33 electrons are distributed. Use the Pauli exclusion principle (no more than 2 electrons per orbital with opposite spins) and Hund's rule (electrons fill degenerate orbitals singly before pairing).
4. Step 4: Write the electron configuration. After filling the orbitals, the electron configuration for arsenic will be written in the form of subshells with superscripts indicating the number of electrons in each subshell. For example, 1s², 2s², etc.
5. Step 5: Verify the configuration. Ensure the total number of electrons adds up to 33 and that the configuration matches the orbital-filling diagram. The final configuration should reflect the correct distribution of electrons in the orbitals, including the partially filled 4p subshell for arsenic.

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons, following the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. For example, the electron configuration for arsenic (As) is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³, which shows how its 33 electrons are arranged.

Orbital Filling Diagram

An orbital filling diagram visually represents how electrons fill atomic orbitals according to specific rules. It typically uses boxes or lines to represent orbitals and arrows to indicate electrons, with their spins. This diagram helps in understanding the order of filling and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold, which is crucial for determining the electron configuration of elements like arsenic.

Periodic Table Trends

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and electron configurations, revealing trends in properties such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic radius. Understanding these trends is essential for predicting the behavior of elements, including arsenic, which is located in group 15 and exhibits properties characteristic of metalloids. This context aids in grasping why arsenic has a specific electron configuration.