Question

Write the condensed electron configuration and partial orbital diagram from organized energy level of Hf

Answer 1

Hafnium (Hf) has an atomic number of 72, which means it has 72 electrons. The condensed electron configuration for hafnium is:

\[ \text{[Xe]} 6s^2 4f^{14} 5d^2 \]

Here’s a breakdown of the electron configuration:
- The noble gas shorthand is \([Xe]\), which represents the electron configuration of xenon (atomic number 54).
- After xenon, hafnium adds two electrons to the \(6s\) orbital, and then it adds 14 electrons to the \(4f\) orbital (completing the 4f block).
- Finally, it adds 2 electrons to the \(5d\) orbital.

### Partial Orbital Diagram

In a partial orbital diagram, we represent the distribution of electrons in the various orbitals. Here is a simple representation:

```
5d: ↑↓ ↑
4f: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ (14 electrons in 4f)
6s: ↑↓
```

In this diagram:
- \(6s\) has 2 electrons (shown as ↑↓).
- \(4f\) has 14 electrons (shown with paired arrows for each orbital).
- \(5d\) has 2 electrons, with one orbital (out of five) having two electrons (paired), and one being half-filled.

This representation depicts the distribution and pairing of electrons in the relevant orbitals of hafnium.