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Multiple Choice
Which of the following represents the noble gas electron configuration for beryllium (Be)?
A
[Ar] 2s^2
B
[He] 2s^2
C
[He] 2p^2
D
[Ne] 2s^2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atomic number of beryllium (Be), which is 4. This means beryllium has 4 electrons in its neutral state.
Recall that noble gas electron configurations use the electron configuration of the previous noble gas as a shorthand to represent the core electrons.
Determine the noble gas that comes before beryllium in the periodic table. Since beryllium has 4 electrons, the noble gas before it is helium (He), which has 2 electrons.
Write the electron configuration of beryllium starting from helium: helium's configuration is 1s^2, so for beryllium, add the remaining 2 electrons in the 2s orbital, resulting in [He] 2s^2.
Compare the options given and select the one that matches the noble gas shorthand configuration for beryllium, which is [He] 2s^2.