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Why does the s orbital fill before the p orbital

User Ramsharan
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1 Answer

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Answer:

The s orbital is lower in energy than the p orbital

Step-by-step explanation:

S-orbital electrons are simultaneously closer to the nucleus (more stable) and farther from the nucleus (less stable) compared to the corresponding p-orbitals. This makes them favorable to occupy when no p-electrons are present, but less favorable to occupy when p-electrons are present, which is why they are filled first but ionize first.

User TBB
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