Questions: Write the electron configuration for a neutral atom of xenon.

Write the electron configuration for a neutral atom of xenon.
Transcript text: Write the electron configuration for a neutral atom of xenon.
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Determine the Atomic Number of Xenon

Xenon is a noble gas with the chemical symbol Xe. The atomic number of xenon is 54, which means a neutral atom of xenon has 54 electrons.

Step 2: Understand the Order of Electron Filling

Electrons fill atomic orbitals in a specific order based on their energy levels. The order of filling is determined by the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals first. The order of filling is as follows: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, and so on.

Step 3: Write the Electron Configuration for Xenon

Using the order of filling, we can write the electron configuration for xenon by filling the orbitals with 54 electrons:

  • 1s: 2 electrons
  • 2s: 2 electrons
  • 2p: 6 electrons
  • 3s: 2 electrons
  • 3p: 6 electrons
  • 4s: 2 electrons
  • 3d: 10 electrons
  • 4p: 6 electrons
  • 5s: 2 electrons
  • 4d: 10 electrons
  • 5p: 6 electrons

Adding these up gives a total of 54 electrons, which matches the atomic number of xenon.

Final Answer

The electron configuration for a neutral atom of xenon is:

\[ \boxed{1s^2 \, 2s^2 \, 2p^6 \, 3s^2 \, 3p^6 \, 4s^2 \, 3d^{10} \, 4p^6 \, 5s^2 \, 4d^{10} \, 5p^6} \]

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