Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question tests the student's understanding of Hund’s rule and the ability to represent electron arrangements in degenerate orbitals using an orbital diagram.

Key Concept Explanation
Hund’s rule states that electrons in degenerate orbitals (e.g., p³, d⁵) will occupy separate orbitals with parallel spins before pairing. This results in a more stable configuration.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Determine the total number of electrons in a carbon atom (atomic number 6).
2. Fill the orbitals in order of increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p.
3. Apply Hund’s rule to the 2p orbitals, which have 2 electrons.
4. Place one...