Question

What are the total number of electrons present in s and p orbitals respectively in the argon?

• A. \(12\) and \(6\)
• B. \(8\) and \(12\)
• C. \(6\) and \(12\)
• D. \(18\) and \(6\)

Hint:

Write the configuration of argon (18 electrons) and count electrons in all s subshells and all p subshells.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Argon has atomic number 18, so a neutral atom has 18 electrons. We must count all electrons sitting in s subshells and all electrons sitting in p subshells.

Step 2: Write the electronic configuration:
\[ 1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^2\,3p^6 \]

Step 3: Count the s electrons:
The s subshells are 1s, 2s and 3s. Each holds 2 electrons, so the total is \(2+2+2 = 6\).

Step 4: Count the p electrons:
The p subshells are 2p and 3p. They hold \(6 + 6 = 12\) electrons.

Step 5: Check the total:
\(6 + 12 = 18\), which equals the number of electrons in argon. Option A (12 and 6) swaps the two counts. B and D do not add up to 18 in a meaningful way and miss the filled 2p and 3p subshells.

Final Answer:
Argon has 6 electrons in s orbitals and 12 in p orbitals. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }6\ \text{and}\ 12} \]