Question 2.39

[Annah Khan 1B]

"Determine whether each of the following electron configurations represents the ground state or an excited state of the atom given."


I was confused as to why only (d) is the configuration for the ground state atom and why the others represent an excited state.

[404768057]

In a) and in b), the configuration doesn't follow Hund's rule so it must be at an excited state. In c), the configuration doesn't follow Aufbau's principle which means that it would also be at an excited state. d) is the only configuration that follows Aufbau's principle and Hund's rule which means it would be in the ground state.