[seanifred]

Hello.  I have been thinking about this problem for the past few days and have gotten nowhere.  I may just be overlooking something, but I really cannot figure it out.  In my class, we talked about the split 2p level in XPS of Titanium into ²P_3/2 and ²P_1/2.  We found that the latter has a higher bonding energy, which would imply that it is closer to the ground state, making it more stable than the former.  However, this is in violation of Hund's rule #3 which states that the state with the greater J value is more stable.  Where does the conflict come from?  I am drawing a blank.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[freezard7734]

Are you sure about those term symbols for titanium? Ti has 2 unpaired valence electrons, so the multiplicity should be odd (like ³P₂ )

[seanifred]

Yes I Am sure. It is the 2p split. Unless the problem was asked wrong, the states are as first stated. Thanks