CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS 1.3.5 Electronic Configurations Questions
Practise explaining electron configurations for atoms and ions by applying shell, subshell and orbital notation, ionisation principles, and electron-count calculations.
Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
AS
Exam points
Explain electron configurations for atoms and ions using shell, subshell and orbital notation, including ionisation and electron counts.
CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS 1.3.5 Electronic Configurations Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
The electronic configuration of a sulfur atom is 1s22s22p63s23p4.
During the process of ionisation a sulfur atom loses an electron.
S(g)→S+(g)+e−ΔH=1000kJmol−1
Identify the orbital from which this electron is removed. Explain your answer. orbital explanation
M1 3p
M2 It is less attracted to the nucleus (so takes less energy to lose)
OR
It is the highest energy orbital (which is occupied) / it is in the highest energy orbital