Multiple Choice
Which element has the electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^2?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for a neutral carbon atom?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^4
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 3s^2
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of carbon, which tells you the number of electrons in a neutral carbon atom. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so it has 6 electrons.
Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to higher ones. The order begins with 1s, then 2s, then 2p, and so on.
Fill the electrons into the orbitals following the order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: 1s can hold 2 electrons, 2s can hold 2 electrons, and 2p can hold up to 6 electrons.
Distribute the 6 electrons of carbon accordingly: 2 electrons fill the 1s orbital, 2 electrons fill the 2s orbital, and the remaining 2 electrons go into the 2p orbital.
Write the electron configuration using the notation: $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{2}$, which correctly represents the electron distribution for a neutral carbon atom.
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