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The term symbols for an atom with the configuration s¹p¹ are: ³P, ¹P, ³S, and ¹S. Here's how to determine them:
1. Total Spin Angular Momentum (S):
- The s¹ configuration has a spin of 1/2.
- The p¹ configuration has a spin of 1/2.
- Therefore, the total spin (S) can be 0 or 1.
- S=0 corresponds to an antiparallel spin configuration, and S=1 corresponds to a parallel spin configuration.
2. Total Orbital Angular Momentum (L):
- The s orbital has l=0.
- The p orbital has l=1.
- The total orbital angular momentum (L) can be 0 or 1 (0+1, or 1-1).
3. Multiplicity (2S+1):
- For S=0, the multiplicity is 2(0)+1 = 1 (singlet).
- For S=1, the multiplicity is 2(1)+1 = 3 (triplet).
4. Term Symbols:
- Combine the multiplicity (2S+1) and the total orbital angular momentum (L) using spectroscopic notation:
- L=0 is designated as S
- L=1 is designated as P
- L=2 is designated as D
- L=3 is designated as F
- and so on...
- Therefore, the possible term symbols are: ³P, ¹P, ³S, and ¹S.