Determine the total number of electrons in a neutral Calcium atom () that simultaneously possess a m — Atomic Structure Chemistry Question
Question
Determine the total number of electrons in a neutral Calcium atom ($Z=20$) that simultaneously possess a magnetic quantum number $m=0$ and spin $s=+1/2$.
Answer: D
💡 Solution & Explanation
Ca configuration: $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2$. Subshells with an $m=0$ orbital: $1s, 2s, 2p(\text{one orbital}), 3s, 3p(\text{one orbital}), 4s$. Total = $6$ orbitals. Each fully occupied orbital contains exactly one electron with $s=+1/2$. Total = $6$ electrons.
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