SCH 4U – Unit 1 Date: ______________________
Electron Configuration Worksheet
Circle the correct answer for problems #1-7
Which letter best fits the statement?
Problem 1: s orbital a) dumbbell b) n=1 c) l=0 d) l=1
Problem 2: p orbital a) dumbbell b) n=1 c) l=0 d) +½
Problem 3: n a) number b) l=0 c) shell d) +½
Problem 4: angular quantum number a) spherical b) n=1 c) shell d) l=0
Problem 5:↑ a) +½ b) x c) s d) l=0
Problem 6: Pauli exclusion principle a) spherical b) l=0 c) l=1 d)↑↓
Problem 7: magnetic quantum number a) spherical b) x,y,z c) l=0 d)↑↓
Problem 8: How many electrons are in this element that has this electron configuration?
1s22s22p3
Problem 9: How many electrons are needed for this element to complete the octet in shell 2 (n=2)?
1s22s22p3
Problem 10: What is this element?
1s22s22p3
Problem 11: Which orbital is being filled in the alkali metal column?
Problem 12: Find the element in period 3 and group 17. What is its full electron configuration starting with
1s2?
Problem 13: The electron configuration of indium is [Kr]4d105s25p1. Indium forms compounds with chlorine.
One is indium (I) chloride, formula InCl. What electron do you think indium gave up?
Problem 14: Another compound of indium and chlorine is indium (III) chloride, formula InCl3. What
electrons do you think indium gave up?
Problem 15: When zinc combines with non-metals, it always has an oxidation number of +2. The electronic
configuration of zinc is [Ar]3d104s2, which is also written [Ar]4s23d10. What 2 electrons does zinc lose when it
forms an ionic bond?
Problem 16: When aluminum combines with non-metals, it always has an oxidation number of +3. What 3
electrons does aluminum lose when it forms an ionic bond? (See table above).
SCH 4U – Unit 1 Date: ______________________
Electron Configuration Worksheet - ANSWER KEY
Circle the correct answer for problems #1-7
Which letter best fits the statement?
Problem 1: s orbital a) dumbbell b) n=1 c) l=0 d) l= 1
Problem 2: p orbital a) dumbbell b) n=1 c) l=0 d) +½
Problem 3: n a) number b) l=0 c) shell d) +½
Problem 4: angular quantum number a) spherical b) n=1 c) shell d) l= 0
Problem 5:↑ a) +½ b) x c) s d) l= 0
Problem 6: Pauli exclusion principle a) spherical b) l=0 c) l=1 d)↑↓
Problem 7: magnetic quantum number a) spherical b) x,y,z c) l=0 d)↑↓
Problem 8: How many electrons are in this element that has this electron configuration?
1s22s22p3 2+2+3 = 7
Problem 9: How many electrons are needed for this element to complete the octet in shell 2 (n=2)?
1s22s22p3 3 missing electrons from the 2p shell
Problem 10: What is this element?
1s22s22p3 Nitrogen (N)
Problem 11: Which orbital is being filled in the alkali metal column?
the s orbital
Problem 12: Find the element in period 3 and group 17. What is its full electron configuration starting with
1s2? Chlorine (Cl) 1s22s22p63s23p5
Problem 13: The electron configuration of indium is [Kr]4d105s25p1. Indium forms compounds with chlorine.
One is indium (I) chloride, formula InCl. What electron do you think indium gave up?
The 5p1 electron
Problem 14: Another compound of indium and chlorine is indium (III) chloride, formula InCl3. What
electrons do you think indium gave up?
5s25p1
Problem 15: When zinc combines with non-metals, it always has an oxidation number of +2. The electronic
configuration of zinc is [Ar]3d104s2, which is also written [Ar]4s23d10. What 2 electrons does zinc lose when it
forms an ionic bond?
4s2
Problem 16: When aluminum combines with non-metals, it always has an oxidation number of +3. What 3
electrons does aluminum lose when it forms an ionic bond? (See table above).
Al: 1s22s22p63s23p1
Al3+: 1s22s22p6 (3s23p1 electrons are lost)
