What is the ground-state valence-shell electron configuration of the group of elements indicated by the shaded portion of the periodic table? A)ns² B)ns²^np² C)ns²(n-1)d² D)ns²(n-2)f²

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The shaded portion of the periodic table represents the p-block elements. The valence shell of these elements would be the outermost energy level containing electrons, which is the n=2 energy level for the p-block elements. The ground-state valence-shell electron configuration for these elements is therefore ns2np1-6. For the shaded portion of the periodic table, this would be ns2np1-6. The (n-1)d orbitals are not yet involved in bonding for these elements, so option C is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because it only includes one electron in the p-orbital, while the p-block elements have from 1 to 6 electrons in the p-orbital. Option B and D are incorrect because they include orbitals that are not relevant to the valence electrons of the p-block elements.

What Is the Ground-State Valence-Shell Electron Configuration of the Group