Chapter 8: Problem 64

Write the electron configuration for magnesium.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The electron configuration for magnesium, with 12 electrons, is \[1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2\].

Step by step solution

Identify the atomic number of magnesium

The atomic number of an element represents the number of protons and electrons in an atom of that element. Magnesium has the atomic number 12, which means it has 12 protons and 12 electrons. Step 2: Determine the order of filling for orbitals.

Apply the Aufbau principle

The Aufbau principle is used to determine the order in which electron orbitals are filled. The order can be remembered using the diagram or mnemonic "1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 7s 5f 6d 7p". Electrons will fill up each orbital in this order. Step 3: Fill the orbitals using the Aufbau principle.

Fill electrons in the orbitals

Since we have 12 electrons to fill in the orbitals for magnesium, we fill the orbitals in the order given by the Aufbau principle. 1. Fill 1s orbital: 2 electrons (2 remaining) 2. Fill 2s orbital: 2 electrons (0 remaining) 3. Fill 2p orbital: 6 electrons (6 remaining) 4. Fill 3s orbital: 2 electrons (4 remaining) Step 4: Write the electron configuration.