Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the ground-state electron configuration of sulfur (S)?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which element has the ground state electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1?
A
Silicon (Si)
B
Aluminum (Al)
C
Phosphorus (P)
D
Magnesium (Mg)
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the total number of electrons in the given electron configuration: $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1$.
Count the electrons in each subshell: $1s^2$ has 2 electrons, $2s^2$ has 2 electrons, $2p^6$ has 6 electrons, $3s^2$ has 2 electrons, and $3p^1$ has 1 electron.
Add these numbers to find the total number of electrons: $2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 1$.
Recall that the atomic number of an element equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom, so the total number of electrons corresponds to the atomic number of the element.
Match the atomic number to the element on the periodic table to determine which element has this electron configuration.
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