What is the principal quantum number of the outermost electron in an atom of pot

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Question: What is the principal quantum number of the outermost electron in an atom of potassium? (2022)

Options:

Correct Answer: 3

Exam Year: 2022

Solution:

Potassium has an atomic number of 19, and its outermost electron is in the n=4 shell.

What is the principal quantum number of the outermost electron in an atom of potassium? (2022)

What is the principal quantum number of the outermost electron in an atom of potassium? (2022)

Step 1: Identify the atomic number of potassium, which is 19.
Step 2: Understand that the atomic number tells us the number of electrons in a neutral atom of potassium.
Step 3: Determine the electron configuration of potassium, which is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹.
Step 4: Look at the highest energy level (n value) in the electron configuration, which is 4 for the 4s¹ electron.
Step 5: Conclude that the principal quantum number of the outermost electron in potassium is n=4.

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