Which Electron Configurations of Phosphorus Are Correct?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the electron configurations of phosphorus, specifically evaluating various proposed configurations for their validity in terms of existing orbitals, adherence to Pauli's Exclusion Principle, and identification of ground versus excited states. The scope includes homework-related inquiries and conceptual clarifications regarding atomic structure and quantum numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists several electron configurations for phosphorus and questions their validity regarding non-existent orbitals, violations of Pauli's Principle, excited states, and ground states.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on what Pauli's Principle states.
  • A different participant explains Pauli's Exclusion Principle, noting that each electron must have a unique set of quantum numbers and that orbitals can hold a maximum of two electrons.
  • One participant agrees that configuration '2' violates Pauli's Exclusion Law but expresses confusion about the terminology of orbitals and sub-orbitals.
  • Another participant asserts that configuration '2' violates Pauli's Law due to having three electrons in the 2s orbital.
  • A follow-up question is raised regarding the validity of the '1s3' configuration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that configuration '2' violates Pauli's Exclusion Principle, but there is uncertainty regarding the validity of '1s3' and other configurations. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the correctness of the proposed configurations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of orbitals and sub-orbitals, as well as the application of Pauli's Exclusion Principle. Some configurations are noted to contain non-existent orbitals, but the reasoning behind these claims is not fully explored.

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Homework Statement



Here are the following Electron Configurations of Phospohorus

1. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 3p4
2. 1s3 2s3 2p6 3s2 3p1
3. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2 3d1
4. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 2d1 3p2
5. 1s2 1p6 2s2 2p5
6. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3

Questions:
Which of these have non-existent orbitals?
Which of these violate Pauli's Principle?
Which of these are in the excited state?
Which of these are it's ground state?

. The attempt at a solution

Just double checking... since I want to get the full marks remaining for this question (got it wrong before, and it's allocated me a new element)

Non-Existent Orbitals
4 & 5, No such thing as 2d and 1p orbitals.
6 is its ground state
1 & 3 are excited states, (the 3s orbitals aren't totally filled?)
That leaves, 2, violating Pauli's principle, which honestly, I have no idea about.

Could someone confirm these for me and perhaps enlighten me more on these.

Thanks!
 
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What does Pauli's principle say?

(check your notes, or book, or google, or check wikipedia if you don't know)
 
Pauli's Exclusion Principle...

each electron in an atom has a unique set of quantum numbers which must abide to a specific criteria...

where basically, any orbital can only contain a maximum of two electrons.

Ahh, when I actually bother to read my notes, I see that p-orbitals have 3 sub-orbitals and that s-orbitals contain 1.

So clearly, '2' violates Pauli's Exclusion Law.

However, in my notes, I see that I've got Quantum Numbers noted down, what exactly do these suggest? I can't seem to find my notes on these.
 
I don't see what you mean by

So clearly, '2' violates Pauli's Exclusion Law.

Note: name 'orbital' can be confusing, as it used to refer to both p (three suborbitals) and px (or py, pz) - which were just called suborbitals moment ago.
 
Basically, this 1s3 2s3 2p6 3s2 3p1 violates Pauli's Law because of the third electron in the 2s orbital.
 
And 1s3 is OK?
 

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