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NEET Chemistry: Electronic configuration of elements Practice Questions

15 free multiple-choice questions on Electronic configuration of elements (Atomic Structure) for NEET Chemistry, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Attempt a question, then reveal the solution to check your reasoning.

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  1. Q1. According to the Aufbau principle, electrons are filled into orbitals in which order?

    • Am+l+n
    • Bn+l
    • Cn+l+m
    • Dl+m+n
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — n+l+m

    The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill the lowest energy orbitals first, which is determined by the principle of increasing energy levels (n+l).

  2. Q2. The electrons that are involved in the chemical bonding of an atom are known as:

    • Avalence electrons
    • Bcore electrons
    • Cunpaired electrons
    • Doccupied electrons
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — valence electrons

    Valence electrons are the electrons found in the outermost shell, which are responsible for chemical bonding and reactivity.

  3. Q3. Which rule governs the arrangement of electrons in degenerate orbitals of the same energy level?

    • AHund's Rule
    • BPauli Exclusion Principle
    • CAufbau Principle
    • DBohr's Postulate
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — Hund's Rule

    Hund's rule states that electrons will fill orbitals within a subshell singly before pairing up, maximizing the total spin.

  4. Q4. Which rule dictates that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers?

    • APauli exclusion principle
    • BAufbau principle
    • CBohr's model
    • DHund's rule
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — Pauli exclusion principle

    The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the identical set of four quantum numbers (n, l, mₗ, mₛ).

  5. Q5. Which rule dictates the way electrons are distributed among orbitals within the same subshell?

    • AHund's rule
    • BHeisenberg uncertainty principle
    • CAufbau principle
    • DPauli exclusion principle
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — Hund's rule

    Hund's rule states that electrons will singly occupy degenerate orbitals with parallel spins before pairing up, which governs the maximum multiplicity of an electronic configuration.

  6. Q6. Which of the following statements is a direct consequence of the Pauli exclusion principle?

    • AElectrons always occupy the highest energy level first.
    • BElectrons repel each other only when they are in the same orbital.
    • CAll electrons in an atom must have the same spin.
    • DNo two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: D — No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.

    The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the exact same set of four quantum numbers (n, l, m_l, m_s), meaning they must have opposite spins in the same orbital.

  7. Q7. Which electronic configuration is correctly represented for the element Nitrogen (Atomic number 7)?

    • A2s²2p¹
    • B2p³
    • C1s²2p¹
    • D1s²2s³
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — 1s²2p¹

    Nitrogen has 7 electrons. The filling order is 1s (2), then 2s (2), then 2p (3). The correct configuration is 1s²2s¹

  8. Q8. The maximum number of electrons that can be placed in the d-subshell is:

    • A10
    • B6
    • C14
    • D8
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — 14

    The d-subshell corresponds to l=2, which means there are three d-orbitals. Since each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, the total capacity is 7 × 2 = 14 electrons.

  9. Q9. Which orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons?

    • A1s
    • B2p
    • C4f
    • D3d
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — 1s

    The 1s orbital is a single orbital, and by the Pauli exclusion principle, it can hold a maximum of two electrons (with opposite spins).

  10. Q10. Which of the following quantum numbers is used to describe the size and shape of an electron's orbital?

    • Aj
    • Bl
    • Cm
    • Dn
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — l

    The azimuthal quantum number (l) describes the shape of the orbital (subshell), while the principal quantum number (n) describes the energy level.

  11. Q11. How many electrons can be accommodated in a p-subshell?

    • A8
    • B2
    • C10
    • D6
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: D — 6

    The principal quantum number l=1 corresponds to the p-subshell, which has three orbitals (mₗ = -1, 0, +1), and thus can hold a maximum of 2 × 3 = 6 electrons.

  12. Q12. Which set of quantum numbers uniquely specifies the state of an electron in an atom?

    • A3. Magnetic Quantum Number
    • B1. Principal Quantum Number
    • C2. Azimuthal Quantum Number
    • D4. Spin Quantum Number
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — 3. Magnetic Quantum Number

    The magnetic quantum number (mₗ) specifies the orientation of the orbital in space, along with the principal quantum number (n) and the azimuthal quantum number (l), which collectively define the state of an electron in an atom.

  13. Q13. According to Hund's rule, the unpaired electrons in a set of degenerate orbitals will have:

    • AEqual energy
    • BParallel spins
    • COpposite spins
    • DZero net spin
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B — Parallel spins

    Hund's rule states that electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly with parallel spins before pairing up.

  14. Q14. According to the Aufbau principle, the order of filling for atomic orbitals is:

    • A1s, 2p, 1s, 3s, 3p
    • B1s, 2s, 2p, 3p, 4s
    • C1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p
    • D1s, 1p, 2s, 3s, 4p
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C — 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p

    The Aufbau principle dictates filling based on increasing energy levels. The correct order of filling is 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, etc.

  15. Q15. The electronic configuration of an element with atomic number 11 (Sodium) is:

    • A1s²2s¹
    • B1s²2s²
    • C1s²2s¹²s¹
    • D1s²2p¹
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: A — 1s²2s¹

    Atomic number 11 means 11 electrons. Following the Aufbau principle: 1s² (2 e), 2s¹ (1 e). Total: 3 electrons remaining. 2p¹ (1 e). Configuration: 1s²2s¹2p¹ (or 1s²2s¹).

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