Question

Between the configurations 4p1 and 4p2,which one is more stable?

Answer 1

4p2

Explanation:

On the basis of orbital diagram,4p2 contains all paired electrons i.e all the orbitals are filled with electrons having opposite spin in it,so they tend to cancel the spin related field created,so minimum energy state is maintained.

But 4p1 has one unpaired electron,which has an unbalanced field and energy due to that field,tends to increase energy of the system.

We know a system is called to be stable that contains minimum amount of potential energy.

Considering the energy due to the spin of the electron to be the innate energy of the system.