Each atom of an element has the following electron configuration: [tex]$1 s^2 2 s^2 2 p^6 3 s^2 3 p^6 4 s^2 3 d^{10} 4 p^6 5 s^2 4 d^{10} 5 p^5$[/tex]
What is the name of the element?
A. bromine
B. iodine
C. tellurium
D. xenon
Answer (2)
Count the total number of electrons from the electron configuration: 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 10 + 6 + 2 + 10 + 5 = 53 .
Recognize that the number of electrons equals the atomic number.
Identify the element with atomic number 53 on the periodic table.
Conclude that the element is iodine: i o d in e .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given the electron configuration of an element: 1 s 2 2 s 2 2 p 6 3 s 2 3 p 6 4 s 2 3 d 10 4 p 6 5 s 2 4 d 10 5 p 5 . Our task is to identify the element based on this configuration.
Finding the Total Number of Electrons To identify the element, we need to determine the total number of electrons in the given configuration. The number of electrons is the sum of the superscripts in the electron configuration.
Calculating the Sum Let's add up the number of electrons: 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 10 + 6 + 2 + 10 + 5 = 53
Relating Electrons to Atomic Number The total number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to its atomic number. Therefore, the element we are looking for has an atomic number of 53.
Identifying the Element Now, we need to find the element with atomic number 53 in the periodic table. The element with atomic number 53 is iodine (I).
Examples
Electron configurations are used to predict the chemical properties of elements. For example, elements with similar valence electron configurations tend to have similar chemical behaviors. This is crucial in designing new materials, understanding chemical reactions, and developing new technologies in fields like semiconductors and catalysis. Knowing the electron configuration helps scientists understand how an element will interact with others, which is fundamental in chemistry and materials science.
The element with the given electron configuration has a total of 53 electrons, which corresponds to atomic number 53 on the periodic table. Therefore, the element is iodine (I). The correct answer is iodine.
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