Question

What is the atom for the electron configuration [Ne]3s1 3p1?
is it Mg or Ne-? and just to make sure,, this is an excited state right?

Answer 1

@eseidl

Answer 2

Mg, excited state.

Answer 3

can u please explain?

Answer 4

@eseidl please help on my question

Answer 5

after this ?

Answer 6

Yeah. Ok your electron "orbital" filling rules are 1s,2s,2p,3s,3p...

Answer 7

s orbitals can take 2 electrons max. P orbitals can take 6.

Answer 8

but why isnt it Ne-?

Answer 9

We fill 3s BEFORE 3p. Since 3s only has one electron in the s orbital, but also has one in the p orbital, it is an excited state.

Answer 10

oh it it because itll give it an extra electron?

Answer 11

is it*

Answer 12

Now why is it Mg...well, Mg is atomic number 12. So, the neutral atom has 12 electrons. We get: \[1s^2,2s^2,2p^63s^2\]for the neutral atom. But if we exited the atom, bumping 1 electron into the 3p orbital, we have a (slightly) excited Mg atom.

Answer 13

oh ok thanks!!!

Answer 14

Why isn't it Ne-...

Answer 15

well, Ne- has 11 electrons. We get:\[1s^2,2s^2,2p^63s^1\]Not enough electrons to be Ne-

Answer 16

oh ok! thanks again!

Answer 17

It could be an exited state of \[Ne^{-2}\] though....

Answer 18

But yeah, I think that narrows it down for you :)