x, y, and z in D block [ENDORSED]

[Ivy Nguyen 3I]

Hi! In lecture today, professor Lavelle wrote out something like and I was just wondering what the x, y, and z were or how to know when/how to write them out. Thank you!

[Carina H - 2G]

Hi!

When he wrote it like that, he was writing it with great specificity, specifying the position within the orbital they are in. Typically, we just write the "normal" electron configuration without that level of specificity unless it is explicitly asked for (at least that has been the case in the homework). Hope this helps!

[Christina Gigoux 1D]

This format is only used when specifying which specific orbital the e-s occupy (in this case the px, py, and pz). Unless expressly stated, we do not need to write it out like this.

[105784203]

Hi! In lecture today, professor Lavelle wrote out something like and I was just wondering what the x, y, and z were or how to know when/how to write them out. Thank you!

This is talking about the orbitals of a subshell such as s p d or f.

[Chem_Mod]

Hi! In lecture today, professor Lavelle wrote out something like and I was just wondering what the x, y, and z were or how to know when/how to write them out. Thank you!

Student response/answers are correct.

But, fyi, I did not write that electron configuration as it is incorrect for multiple reasons.

Here is one I did write for N:

PS. Nice use of subscripts and superscripts in your question. :-)