Use the periodic table to determine each quantity. a. the number of 3s electrons in Mg b. the number of 3d electrons in Cr c. the number of 4d electrons in Y d. the number of 6p electrons in Pb

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the highest. Understanding electron configuration is essential for determining the number of electrons in specific subshells, such as 3s, 3d, 4d, and 6p, as asked in the question.

Periodic Table Structure

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and electron configurations. Elements are arranged in rows (periods) and columns (groups) that reflect similar chemical properties. By knowing an element's position in the periodic table, one can infer its electron configuration and the number of electrons in specific subshells, which is crucial for answering the question.

Subshells and Orbitals

Subshells are divisions of electron shells that contain orbitals, where electrons are likely to be found. Each subshell (s, p, d, f) can hold a specific number of electrons: s holds 2, p holds 6, d holds 10, and f holds 14. Identifying the number of electrons in subshells like 3s, 3d, 4d, and 6p requires understanding these capacities and the electron configurations of the respective elements.