- #1
samjohnny
- 84
- 1
Homework Statement
An exercise examining the tin atom (Sn). Tin has a ground state electron configuration of ##[Kr]4d^{10}5s^25p^2##.
a) Write down the electronic configuration of the first excited state.
b) Illustrate with a vector diagram the allowed total angular momentum ##J## values for this excited state.
Homework Equations
N/a
The Attempt at a Solution
Hi all,
For a) As I understand it, excited states for atoms are achieved when an atom in the outermost shell makes a transition to an atomic orbital with greater energy, according to the selection rule of ##ΔL=±1##. However I'm unsure as to what would constitute the first excited state.
I think it would be one of the two following:
(1) ##[Kr]4d^{10}5s^25p^16s^1##
(2) ##[Kr]4d^{10}5s^25p^15d^1##
The ##5d## level has a higher energy than that of the ##6s##, so perhaps (1) is the first excited state?
For b) I'm not entirely sure about it, but I presume that the correct answer for a) must be determined first.
Last edited: