Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct noble gas notation for the electron configuration of chlorine?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which element has the electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2?
A
Magnesium (Mg)
B
Aluminum (Al)
C
Phosphorus (P)
D
Silicon (Si)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the total number of electrons in the given electron configuration: $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2$. Add the superscripts to find the total number of electrons: $2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 2$.
Calculate the sum of electrons: $2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 2 = 14$. This means the element has 14 electrons.
Recall that the atomic number of an element equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom. So, the element with 14 electrons has an atomic number of 14.
Use the periodic table to find the element with atomic number 14. This element is Silicon (Si).
Confirm that the electron configuration matches the expected configuration for Silicon, which is $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2$, verifying the answer.
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