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MDCAT
Chemistry
2012

Chemistry · Atomic Structure

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Question

The relative energies of 4s, 4p and 3d orbitals are in the order: 

Options
  • A

    3d < 4p <4s 

  • B

    4s < 3d < 4p 

  • C

    4p < 4s < 3d

  • D

    4p < 3d < 4s 

Explanation

The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill lower-energy atomic orbitals before filling higher-energy ones (Aufbau is German for "building-up"). By following this rule, we can predict the electron configurations for atoms or ions. To find the energy of orbitals, we use the (n+l) principle where n= energy level, while l= orbital level.

For 4s: n+l= 4 + 0 = 4

For 3d: n+l= 3 + 2= 5

For 4p: n+l = 4+ 1= 5 (but since the distance of 4p is greater than that of 3d, 3d gets filled first)

Final order: 4s<3d<4p

This order is not correct. 

According to the n+l rule, where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number, the order of increasing energy of atomic orbitals is given by their sum (n+l). When the sum is same, the orbital with lower n value has lower energy.

For 4s orbital, n=4 and l=0, so (n+l) = 4+0 = 4.

For 4p orbital, n=4 and l=1, so (n+l) = 4+1 = 5.

For 3d orbital, n=3 and l=2, so (n+l) = 3+2 = 5.

Therefore, the order of increasing energy is 4s < 3d < 4p

According to the n+l rule, where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number, the order of increasing energy of atomic orbitals is given by their sum (n+l). When the sum is same, the orbital with lower n value has lower energy.

For 4s orbital, n=4 and l=0, so (n+l) = 4+0 = 4.

For 4p orbital, n=4 and l=1, so (n+l) = 4+1 = 5.

For 3d orbital, n=3 and l=2, so (n+l) = 3+2 = 5.

Therefore, the order of increasing energy is 4s < 3d < 4p

This order is not correct. 

According to the n+l rule, where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number, the order of increasing energy of atomic orbitals is given by their sum (n+l). When the sum is same, the orbital with lower n value has lower energy.

For 4s orbital, n=4 and l=0, so (n+l) = 4+0 = 4.

For 4p orbital, n=4 and l=1, so (n+l) = 4+1 = 5.

For 3d orbital, n=3 and l=2, so (n+l) = 3+2 = 5.

Therefore, the order of increasing energy is 4s < 3d < 4p

This order is not correct.

According to the n+l rule, where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number, the order of increasing energy of atomic orbitals is given by their sum (n+l). When the sum is same, the orbital with lower n value has lower energy.

For 4s orbital, n=4 and l=0, so (n+l) = 4+0 = 4.

For 4p orbital, n=4 and l=1, so (n+l) = 4+1 = 5.

For 3d orbital, n=3 and l=2, so (n+l) = 3+2 = 5.

Therefore, the order of increasing energy is 4s < 3d < 4p

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Tagged under Chemistry · Atomic Structure · 2012