Home > Chemistry > Electron Configuration

How many unpaired electrons are in a boron atom?

Answer 1

In the ground state, only one. But for bonding, all three valence electrons are used, and the atom acquires a slightly excited state.

The configuration of boron is #1s^2 2s^2##2p^1# which means only the #p# electron is unpaired.

However, when bonding in a compound, one of the #2s# electrons is promoted into the #2p# subshell, with the result that #sp^2# hybrid orbitals are created, and three bonding orbitals exist.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Natalie Anton

One unpaired electron is present in a boron atom.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 3

Olivia Anton

A boron atom has one unpaired electron.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.