Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for aluminum (Al)?
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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 sodium (Na) atom?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^5 3s^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3p^1
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of sodium (Na), which tells you the number of electrons in a neutral atom. Sodium has an atomic number of 11, so it has 11 electrons.
Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and so on.
Step 3: Fill the orbitals with electrons following the order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: 1s can hold 2, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, and 3s can hold 2.
Step 4: Distribute the 11 electrons into the orbitals: 2 electrons in 1s, 2 electrons in 2s, 6 electrons in 2p, and the remaining 1 electron in 3s.
Step 5: Write the electron configuration by listing the orbitals and the number of electrons in each, resulting in $1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{1}$ for neutral sodium.
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