Write the electron configuration for an atom of tellurium, Te, in its ground state. Also draw an orbital diagram for the outermost 16 electrons in Te.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Electron Configuration and Orbital Diagram for Tellurium (Te)
Ground-State Electron Configuration of Te (Atomic Number 52): Te: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p4\boxed{\text{Te: } 1s^2\ 2s^2\ 2p^6\ 3s^2\ 3p^6\ 4s^2\ 3d^{10}\ 4p^6\ 5s^2\ 4d^{10}\ 5p^4}
Orbital Diagram for the Outermost 16 Electrons in Tellurium:
We focus on the outermost 16 electrons, which are:
- 4p⁶ → 6 electrons
- 5s² → 2 electrons
- 4d¹⁰ → 10 electrons
- 5p⁴ → 4 electrons
This makes 22 electrons total, but since only the outermost 16 are requested, we include:
- 4d¹⁰ (10 electrons)
- 5s² (2 electrons)
- 5p⁴ (4 electrons)
Orbital Diagram:
4d: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
5s: ↑↓
5p: ↑↓ ↑ ↑
(Arrows represent electrons: ↑ = one electron with spin up, ↓ = one with spin down)
Explanation
Tellurium (Te), atomic number 52, is a metalloid found in group 16 of the periodic table, also known as the oxygen group or chalcogens. In its ground state, the atom has 52 electrons distributed across various energy levels and orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli Exclusion Principle, and Hund’s Rule.
The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill lower-energy orbitals first. Hence, the electron configuration starts from 1s and continues sequentially. Electrons fill the 1s through 4p subshells in a predictable order. Beyond that, the 5s orbital fills before the 4d, and then electrons continue into the 5p orbitals.
The configuration ends at 5p⁴, meaning the 5p subshell has four electrons, placing tellurium in group 16. According to Hund’s Rule, within the 5p subshell, electrons occupy orbitals singly before pairing up. This leads to the 5p orbital diagram showing two unpaired electrons (↑ ↑) in two of the three p orbitals, and one orbital fully occupied (↑↓).
The outermost 16 electrons are those most relevant to tellurium’s chemical behavior. These include:
- The 4d¹⁰ subshell, which is fully filled,
- The 5s² subshell, also fully filled,
- And the 5p⁴ subshell, partially filled.
The presence of four electrons in the 5p subshell gives tellurium its chemical properties and allows it to form -2 anions (Te²⁻) by gaining two electrons to complete the octet.
In summary, Te’s electron configuration and orbital diagram reflect a stable arrangement in the inner shells and a chemically reactive outer shell, characteristic of group 16 elements.
