Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the noble gas electron configuration for an oxygen atom?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Using the periodic table, which of the following is the correct electron configuration for selenium (Se)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^2
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^8 4p^6
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^10 4p^6
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of selenium (Se) from the periodic table. Selenium has an atomic number of 34, which means it has 34 electrons to be placed in orbitals.
Step 2: Recall the order of filling electron orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, which is: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, and so on.
Step 3: Begin filling the orbitals with electrons following the order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: s orbitals hold 2, p orbitals hold 6, and d orbitals hold 10 electrons.
Step 4: Distribute the 34 electrons into the orbitals step-by-step: fill 1s (2 electrons), 2s (2), 2p (6), 3s (2), 3p (6), 4s (2), 3d (10), and then place the remaining electrons in 4p orbitals.
Step 5: Write the full electron configuration by combining all filled orbitals with their respective electron counts, ensuring the total adds up to 34 electrons for selenium.
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