Grade 10 · Science · Chemistry

10th grade Write electron configurations worksheet

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Write electron configurations

Grade 10 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

The d subshell of an iron atom holds 6 electrons. Following Hund's rule, how many of them are unpaired, Ari?
The d subshell of a cobalt atom holds 7 electrons. Following Hund's rule, how many of them are unpaired, Bo?
The d subshell of a nickel atom holds 8 electrons. Following Hund's rule, how many of them are unpaired, Esme?
4.
Nitrogen has 3 electrons in 2p. How are they placed, Jun?
- The three together in one orbital
- Two in one orbital, one in another
- One in each of the 3 orbitals
5.
Oxygen has 4 electrons in 2p. How many are unpaired, Kira?
- 4
- 0
- 2
6.
Why do electrons fill orbitals singly before pairing, Luz?
- Single electrons are heavier
- Pairs are forbidden
- They repel less when spread out
7.
Noah says the first 3d electron appears at potassium. Agree or disagree?
- Agree: argon starts 3d
- Disagree: it appears at scandium
- Agree: potassium starts 3d
8.
Pia says shell 3 must be full before any electron enters shell 4. Agree or disagree?
- Agree: shells fill strictly in order
- Disagree: 4s fills before 3d
- Agree: shell 3 holds 8
9.
Which element of the first transition row has a full 3d subshell, Tala?
- Zinc
- Iron
- Scandium
10.
Which subshell fills across the first transition row, Zee?
- 4p
- 4f
- 3d

Write electron configurations. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

I can fill subshells in order (1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p) and write a configuration and its noble-gas shorthand.
I can say how many electrons s, p and d subshells and shell n hold (2, 6, 10 and 2n²).
I can name an element's block from its last subshell.
I can use Hund's rule to count unpaired electrons, including in the first transition row.

Standard: HS-PS1-1

subshell: A set of orbitals in a shell: s, p, d or f

orbital: A space that holds up to 2 electrons

configuration: A list of where an atom's electrons sit, like 1s² 2s²

noble-gas shorthand: The previous noble gas in brackets, then the rest

Hund's rule: Electrons fill each orbital singly before any pair up

Your child used 2n. A shell holds 2n² electrons: 8 in shell 2, 18 in shell 3.

Your child left out the core. A neon core already holds 10 electrons, so add them.

Your child paired electrons too early. By Hund's rule, each orbital gets one electron before any pairs up.

What is the most common mistake with write electron configurations?

Your child used 2n. A shell holds 2n² electrons: 8 in shell 2, 18 in shell 3.

Are these 10th grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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