Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of boron?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
The Electron Configuration
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Which of the following represents the correct electron configuration for a neutral atom of magnesium?
A
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1
B
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3d^2
C
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3p^2
D
1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the atomic number of magnesium, which tells you the number of electrons in a neutral atom. Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, so it has 12 electrons.
Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, and so on.
Step 3: Distribute the 12 electrons into the orbitals following the order and the maximum number of electrons each orbital can hold: 1s (2 electrons), 2s (2 electrons), 2p (6 electrons), and then 3s (2 electrons).
Step 4: Write the electron configuration by listing the orbitals and the number of electrons in each, ensuring the total adds up to 12 electrons.
Step 5: Verify that the configuration matches the expected pattern for magnesium, which ends with 3s^2, indicating the two electrons in the 3s orbital.
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