When electrons fill a subshell in which the orbitals have equal energy, the order in which the orbitals are filled is such that
A) a minimum number of electrons has unpaired spins.
B) a minimum number of electrons has intrinsic angular momentum.
C) a maximum number of electrons has unpaired spins.
D) a maximum number of electrons first fills the next energy level.
E) the maximum number of electrons has the same set of quantum numbers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hund's rule states that when filling orbitals of equal energy, electrons will fill each orbital with parallel spins before pairing up. This results in a maximum number of electrons having unpaired spins, as seen in option C. Option A is incorrect because it suggests a minimum number of electrons with unpaired spins, which is not consistent with Hund's rule. Option B is incorrect because all electrons have intrinsic angular momentum (spin), so this is not a factor in determining the filling order of orbitals. Option D is incorrect because it describes the filling of energy levels, which is not relevant to the question of filling orbitals of equal energy. Option E is incorrect because no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers due to the Pauli exclusion principle.

When Electrons Fill a Subshell in Which the Orbitals Have