Which of the following is the correct ground state electron configuration for a phosphorus atom? A)1s²2s²2p³ B)1s²2s²2p⁶3s²4p³ C)1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³ D)1s²2s²2p⁶3s⁵ E)1s²2s⁸3s⁵

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electron configuration of phosphorus is [Ne] 3s2 3p3. To write this in shorthand notation, we start with the electron configuration of neon, which is [He] 2s2 2p6, and replace the core electrons with the symbol in brackets. Then we add the valence electrons for phosphorus, which are 3s2 3p3. The correct shorthand notation for the ground state electron configuration of phosphorus is therefore 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3. Of the choices given, only choice C represents this configuration.

Which of the Following Is the Correct Ground State Electron