Electron Configuration Practice Quiz

Problem 1

Write the complete electron configuration for each element:

• a. Calcium (Ca)
• b. Phosphorus (P)
• c. Beryllium (Be)
• d. Chlorine (Cl)

Problem 2

The correct electron configuration for a fluorine atom is:

• a. 1s²2s²2p⁵
• b. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹
• c. 1s²2s²2p⁴3s¹
• d. 1s²2s²2p³

Problem 3

The correct electron configuration for Cadmium (₄₈Cd) is:

• a. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰
• b. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶4d⁴
• c. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰
• d. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²5d¹⁰

Problem 4

Write the noble gas (shorthand) configuration for:

• a. Nitrogen (N)
• b. Sodium (Na)
• c. Iron (Fe)

Problem 5

The correct noble gas configuration for Vanadium (₂₃V) is:

• a. [Ar]4s²3d³
• b. [Ar]4s²4p³
• c. [Ar]4s²4d³
• d. [Kr]4s²3d³

Problem 6

Write the noble gas configuration for Lead (Pb, Z = 82).

Hint: Use [Xe] as your starting point.

Problem 7

Name the element with each electron configuration:

• a. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁵
• b. 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s¹
• c. [Ar]4s²3d⁷

Problem 8

The element having the configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² is in Group:

• a. 2
• b. 4
• c. 12
• d. 14

Problem 9

The number of orbitals in a d sublevel is:

• a. 3
• b. 5
• c. 7
• d. 10

Problem 10

How many electrons would be needed to completely fill a 3d sublevel?

Problem 11

How many elements are in the s-block of the periodic table?

Problem 12

The number of electrons in the third principal energy level (n=3) in an atom with configuration 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² is:

• a. 2
• b. 4
• c. 6
• d. 8

Problem 13

The total number of orbitals that contain at least one electron in 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² is:

• a. 5
• b. 7
• c. 8
• d. 14

Problem 14

Draw the orbital configuration for Aluminum (Al). Then answer:

• a. Is it a metal or nonmetal?
• b. Will it give or take electrons?
• c. What will be the charge of the ion it forms?
• d. Which electrons will be lost?

Problem 15

Explain what is wrong with each orbital diagram:

Diagram A:

Diagram B:

Problem 16

Which element has the largest number of unpaired electrons?

• a. F
• b. S
• c. Cu
• d. N

Problem 17

How many unpaired electrons are in the electron configuration [Ar]4s¹3d⁵?

• a. 2
• b. 4
• c. 5
• d. 6

Problem 18

For each element, determine the number of unpaired electrons:

• a. Oxygen (O)
• b. Silicon (Si)
• c. Iron (Fe)

Problem 19

Which of these elements has two s electrons and six p electrons in its outer energy level?

• a. He
• b. O
• c. Si
• d. Ar

Problem 20

Groups 13-18 form the area on the periodic table where the electron sublevels being filled are:

• a. p sublevels
• b. s and p sublevels
• c. d sublevels
• d. f sublevels

Problem 21

The lanthanide and actinide series of elements are:

• a. all artificially made
• b. filling in d level electrons
• c. transition elements
• d. filling in f level electrons

Problem 22

An element has the electron configuration [Kr]5s²4d¹⁰5p⁴. What element is this, and how many valence electrons does it have?

Problem 23

Write the electron configuration for the Cl⁻ ion. How does it compare to Ar?