Question

The radial probability distribution curve obtained for an orbital wave function $(\psi )$ has $3$ peaks and $2$ radial nodes. The valence electron of which one of the following metals does this wave function $(\psi )$ correspond to?

• A. Cu
• B. Li
• C. K
• D. Na

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Since, the radial probability distribution curve has $3$ peaks,
it means that for it $n=3$ and $l=0$.
Moreover, it has two radial nodes ie, $n-l-1=2$
(which also satisfied previous condition), ie, $3-0-1=2$.
Hence, the valence electron of the metal must present in $3s-$ orbital.
The outer electronic configuration of the given metals is
${}_{29}Cu=3d^{10}4s^{1}3Li=2s^1{}_{19}K=4s^1{}_{11}Na=3s^1$
Thus, the given wave function corresponds to the valence electrons of the sodium metal.