Question

Write the complete electrons configuration and the electron box diagram for each of the elements symbols give;
S , Si, P and state the principle that govern

Answer 1

Sure! Let’s break down the electron configurations and electron box diagrams for the elements sulfur (S), silicon (Si), and phosphorus (P), and also review the principles that govern electron configurations.

### 1. Sulfur (S)
- **Atomic number:** 16
- **Electron Configuration:**
\[
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4
\]
- **Electron Box Diagram:**

```
1s: ↑↓
2s: ↑↓
2p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
3s: ↑↓
3p: ↑↓ ↑
```

### 2. Silicon (Si)
- **Atomic number:** 14
- **Electron Configuration:**
\[
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2
\]
- **Electron Box Diagram:**

```
1s: ↑↓
2s: ↑↓
2p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
3s: ↑↓
3p: ↑ ↑
```

### 3. Phosphorus (P)
- **Atomic number:** 15
- **Electron Configuration:**
\[
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3
\]
- **Electron Box Diagram:**

```
1s: ↑↓
2s: ↑↓
2p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
3s: ↑↓
3p: ↑↑↑
```

### Principles Governing Electron Configuration:
1. **Aufbau Principle:** Electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals first before filling higher energy orbitals. This forms the basis of the order in which we write electron configurations.

2. **Pauli Exclusion Principle:** No two electrons can have the same set of quantum numbers. This is why each box in the electron box diagram can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins (↑ and ↓).

3. **Hund's Rule:** When filling orbitals of the same energy (like the three 2p or three 3p orbitals), electrons will first occupy empty orbitals singly before pairing up. This minimizes electron-electron repulsions and leads to a more stable configuration.

These principles help us understand and predict the arrangement of electrons in atoms.