The electronic configuration of Einsteinium is :
(Given atomic number of Einsteinium $=99$)
Solution
<p>The correct option for the electronic configuration of Einsteinium (atomic number 99) is:</p>
<strong>Option C: [Rn] 5f<sup>11</sup> 6d<sup>0</sup> 7s<sup>2</sup></strong>
<p>Here's why:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Atomic Number and Electrons:</strong> Einsteinium has an atomic number of 99, which means it has 99 protons in its nucleus. Since atoms are neutral, it also has 99 electrons surrounding the nucleus.</li><br>
<li><strong>Electron Shells:</strong> Electrons fill up energy shells around the nucleus. The order of filling follows the Aufbau principle, which generally fills lower energy shells before moving to higher ones.</li><br>
<li><strong>Noble Gas Core Notation:</strong> The notation [Rn] represents the filled electron configuration of Radon (atomic number 86). This is a shorthand to avoid writing out the entire configuration of the inner shells, as they are not involved in the chemical behavior of Einsteinium.</li><br>
<li><strong>Filling the f-orbital:</strong> Einsteinium is an actinide element, located in the f-block of the periodic table. The 5f subshell fills up after the 6s subshell.</li><br>
<li><strong>Aufbau Principle:</strong> According to the Aufbau principle, the 5f subshell can hold up to 14 electrons. In Einsteinium, 11 electrons fill the 5f subshell (5f<sup>11</sup>).</li><br>
<li><strong>Empty d-orbital:</strong> The 6d subshell has a higher energy level than the 5f subshell. Since the 5f subshell isn't completely filled, the 6d subshell remains empty (6d<sup>0</sup>).</li><br>
<li><strong>Outermost Electrons:</strong> The remaining two electrons fill the outermost 7s subshell (7s<sup>2</sup>).</li>
</ol>
<p>Therefore, the complete electronic configuration of Einsteinium is:</p>
<strong>[Rn] 5f<sup>11</sup> 6d<sup>0</sup> 7s<sup>2</sup></strong>
About this question
Subject: Chemistry · Chapter: d and f Block Elements · Topic: Properties of Transition Metals
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