CHEM stupid singly orbitals

Which element has atoms with the greatest number of singly occupied orbitals?

C
Cl
Ca
Ga

I'm getting 2 for C, 1 for Cl, 2 for Ca, 1 for Ga

I've been counting OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Do they expect us to 50/50 pick between C and Ca? HUH????????

Please help. I'm going mad. Please.

Reply 1

Spelunker

dosent calcium not have a singly occupied orbital?

Reply 2

Sasuto

Original post by Spelunker

dosent calcium not have a singly occupied orbital?

It would make sense since the answer is A. But how?

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 3

Spelunker

Original post by Sasuto

It would make sense since the answer is A. But how?

calcium orbital structure is 1s2^2 s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 which means the 4s sub shell is filled. carbon has 2 electrons to fill the 3orbitals of 2p and using the bus stop method you would have to place the electrons separately and leave the 3rd one blank, meaning it has 2 singly occupied oribtals

Reply 4

Sasuto

Original post by Spelunker

I see! That makes more sense. Thank you!

(And pray for me for chem. I find the motivation to do ppq but its questions like this which make me mad and waste time coutning stupid things and ultimately make me lose motivation. Ok rant over)