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If one of the 3p-orbitals is half-filled in the neutral atom, what is the identity of the atom?

1 Answer

Feb 18, 2017

Clearly, you are talking about the element, #"chlorine"#. How did I know this?

Explanation:

We use the aufbau principle to specify the atomic configuration:

#1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^(6)3s^(2)3p^5#

In the valence shell there are #3s^2#, #3p_x#, #3p_y#, and #3p_z# orbitals. One of the #p# orbitals is presumed to be half-filled.

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