Question

Organize the following atoms according to increasing number of orbitals surrounding the nucleus: Rubidium (Rb), Phosphorous (P), Neon (Ne), Gallium (Ga)

Answer 1

Answer is: Ne, P, Ga, Rb.
₁₀Ne 1s²2s²2p⁶.
₁₅P 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³.
₃₁Ga 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p¹.
₃₇Rb 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰4s²4p⁶5s¹.
Neon has smallest number of orbitals because neon has smallest atomic number (ten electrons), rubidium has largest number of orbitals because rubidium has largest atomic number.