Based on the "Boarding House" model in the image, we can interpret the symbols as follows:
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a. ● (black dot)
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III. Boarder
Explanation: In each diagram, the black dots represent individual boarders (electrons) moving into and occupying the rooms (orbitals). For example, at 1:00 pm, there’s one black dot in the kitchen (1s¹), and by 11:00 pm, there are many dots filling various rooms — clearly representing the “boarders” themselves.
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b. 🛏️ (bed symbol / bunk bed icon)
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I. Bunk bed for boarders
Explanation: The small bed-like symbols (like a rectangle with a vertical line) inside each room represent the actual “bunk beds” or spaces where boarders (electrons) can sleep (occupy). Each room has a set number of these beds (e.g., the kitchen has 1 bed, Sunny Rooms have 3 beds, etc.), which corresponds to the number of orbitals available in each subshell.
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c. 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹
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II. Manager’s code for the number of boarders in the house and their room assignments.
Explanation: This is the “Manager’s Code” shown under each time label. It tells you exactly how many boarders are in each room (subshell):
- `1s²` = 2 boarders in the 1s room (kitchen)
- `2s²` = 2 boarders in the 2s room (Sunny Rooms)
- `2p⁶` = 6 boarders in the 2p rooms (Pink Rooms)
- `3s¹` = 1 boarder in the 3s room
This directly maps to electron configuration notation in chemistry — it’s the “address” or “code” describing where electrons reside.
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✔ Final Matching:
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_III_ a. ●
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_I_ b. 🛏️
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_II_ c. 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹
This analogy helps visualize how electrons fill atomic orbitals following specific rules — just like boarders filling rooms in a boarding house according to availability and rules (Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion, Hund’s rule).
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of electron configuration worksheet answers.
