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