Multiple Choice
Which term refers to the arrangement of electrons in an atom?
2
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct ground-state electron configuration for silicon (Si)?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of silicon (Si), which is 14. This means silicon has 14 electrons in its neutral ground state.
Step 2: Recall the order of filling electron orbitals according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, then 3p.
Step 3: Distribute the 14 electrons into these orbitals following the maximum capacity of each: 1s can hold 2, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, 3s can hold 2, and 3p can hold 6 electrons.
Step 4: Fill the orbitals in order: 1s^2 (2 electrons), 2s^2 (2 electrons), 2p^6 (6 electrons), 3s^2 (2 electrons), and then place the remaining 2 electrons in 3p orbitals as 3p^2.
Step 5: Write the full ground-state electron configuration for silicon as $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2$, which matches the correct answer.
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