`3d^4` configuration may have the exchange of s

Options

A. four electrons
B. three electrons
C. sixteen electrons
D. six electrons

Answer

To solve the question regarding the exchange of electrons in a 3d^4 configuration, we will analyze the possible exchanges step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the 3d Orbital Configuration**:
- The 3d subshell can hold a maximum of 10 electrons, distributed across 5 orbitals (dxy, dyz, dzx, dx2-y2, dz2).
- In the case of 3d^4, we have 4 electrons in the 3d subshell.

2. **Distribution of Electrons**:
- The 4 electrons can be represented in the d orbitals as follows:
- ↑ (1st electron)
- ↑ (2nd electron)
- ↑ (3rd electron)
- ↑ (4th electron)
- This means we have 4 unpaired electrons in the 3d subshell.

3. **Identifying Possible Exchanges**:
- We need to determine how many distinct exchanges can occur among these 4 electrons.
- An exchange involves swapping the positions of two electrons.

4. **Calculating Exchanges**:
- The first electron (let's call it E1) can exchange with:
- E2
- E3
- E4
- This gives us 3 possible exchanges for E1.

- The second electron (E2) can exchange with:
- E3
- E4
- This gives us 2 additional exchanges for E2.

- The third electron (E3) can exchange with:
- E4
- This gives us 1 additional exchange for E3.

- The fourth electron (E4) cannot exchange with any other electron as there are no more electrons to exchange with.

5. **Total Possible Exchanges**:
- Adding the possibilities:
- From E1: 3 exchanges
- From E2: 2 exchanges
- From E3: 1 exchange
- Total = 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 exchanges.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the 3d^4 configuration can exchange a total of 6 electrons.

### Final Answer:
The correct option is D, indicating that the 3d^4 configuration may have the exchange of 6 electrons.