Drawing diagrams of electronic configurations
2 marks · HardThe diagram below represents the electronic configuration of an atom using shells and electrons:
Shell 1 contains 2 electrons, shown as crosses or dots. Shell 2 contains 4 electrons, shown as crosses or dots.
Interpret this diagram to answer the following:
How many electrons are present in atom X?
State the electronic configuration of atom X using numbers to show the electrons in each shell.
Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.
Show answer
(a) 6
(b) 2, 4
Common mistakes: Giving a wrong total number of electrons; Reversing the electron counts for shells
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
A1 (a) · 1 mark · Correctly states the total number of electrons as 6.
A2 (b) · 1 mark · Correctly gives the electronic configuration as 2, 4.
Worked solution
a) The total number of electrons in atom X is found by adding the electrons in each shell: 2 (first shell) + 4 (second shell) = 6 electrons.
b) The electronic configuration is written as 2, 4 (2 electrons in the first shell, 4 in the second shell).