Answer :
Final answer:
The correct order of increasing energy for the electron subshells 2p, 4s, 3s, 3p is 3s, 3p, 4s, 2p, corresponding to option c) 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s.
Explanation:
In Chemistry, particularly when discussing atomic structure and electron configurations, the order of energy levels for electron subshells plays a critical role. The correct order of increasing energy for the subshells listed (2p, 4s, 3s, 3p) based on the given principles of electron configurations and the experimental data provided is 3s, 3p, 4s, 2p. This order can be remembered using the n+l rule where n is the principal quantum number and l is the azimuthal quantum number, and by referring to the general electron filling order that progresses from lower to higher energy levels.
Given the patterns of electronic configurations, 3s would fill before 3p, and while 4s is in the fourth shell, it is actually lower in energy than the 3d orbitals and fills first; thus, 4s is also lower in energy than 2p according to the rules laid out. So, the correct order of increasing energy for the subshells is 3s, 3p, 4s, 2p, which corresponds to option c) 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s.
