Question

What's the first energy level to have a filled f orbital, where energy levels and orbitals refer to:

A) Atomic number
B) Electron configuration
C) Ionization energy
D) Atomic mass

Answer 1

Electrons fill orbitals in a consistent order, with those closest to the nucleus filled first and then orbitals of increasing energy further from the nucleus. The outermost energy level determines the atom's stability and its ability to form chemical bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electrons fill orbitals in a consistent order: they first fill the orbitals closest to the nucleus, then they continue to fill orbitals of increasing energy further from the nucleus. If there are multiple orbitals of equal energy, they will be filled with one electron in each energy level before a second electron is added. The electrons of the outermost energy level determine the energetic stability of the atom and its tendency to form chemical bonds with other atoms to form molecules.