Question

The electronic configurations of four elements are given below. Which of the corresponding elements has maximum total electronic spin?

• A. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^6$
• B. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^1$
• C. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^5$
• D. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^4$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^4$

Total spin is given by n/2 where n is the total number of unpaired electrons. More the number of unpaired electrons more is the net spin.

In $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^6$ there are no unpaired electrons.
In $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^1$ there is one unpaired electron.
In $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^5$ there is one unpaired electron.
In $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^4$ there are two unpaired electrons.

Thus the element having the electronic configuration $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^4$ has the highest net spin.