Question

Which has the most unpaired electrons, S+(a), S(b), S+(c)?

Which has the most unpaired electrons, S+(a), S(b), S+(c)?

Answer

a. S+

The electronic configuration of S+ is [Ne] 3s2 3p3.

Drawing the electron distribution for the 3p3 electrons for S+:

X__--X__--X__ ----> 3 unpaired electrrons

where: X represents the spin-up electrons

b. S

The electron configuration of S is [Ne] 3s2 3p4.

Drawing the electron distribution for the 3p4 electrons for S:

Xx_--X__--X__ ------> 2 unpaired electrons

where:

X represents the spin-up electrons

x represents the spin-down electron

b. S-

The electron configuration of S- is [Ne] 3s2 3p5.

Drawing the electron distribution for the 3p5 electrons for S-:

Xx_--Xx_--X__ ------> 1 unpaired electron

where:

X represents the spin-up electrons

x represents the spin-down electron

Therefore, S+ has the most unpaired electrons.

That's it!n_n

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