Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the complete ground state electron configuration for a zinc (Zn) atom?
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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 fluorine (atomic number 9)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^5
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^3
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of fluorine, which is 9. This means fluorine has 9 electrons to be placed in its electron configuration.
Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, then 2p.
Step 3: Fill the 1s orbital first, which can hold 2 electrons, so write $1s^{2}$.
Step 4: Next, fill the 2s orbital, which also holds 2 electrons, so write $2s^{2}$.
Step 5: The remaining electrons (9 - 2 - 2 = 5) go into the 2p orbital, so write $2p^{5}$. Combine all to get the full electron configuration: $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{5}$.
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