The electron configuration of a ground-state copper atom is A) [Ar]4s²4d⁴_. B) [Ar]4s²4p⁶3d³_. C) [Ar]4s²3d⁹_. D) [Ar]3d⁹_. E) [Ar]4s¹3d¹⁰_.

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The correct electron configuration for a ground-state copper atom is [Ar]4s^1 3d^10. This is because copper is an exception to the general order of filling electron orbitals. Normally, the 4s orbital is filled before the 3d, but in the case of copper, one electron from the 4s orbital is used to completely fill the 3d orbital, resulting in a more stable configuration.

The Electron Configuration of a Ground-State Copper Atom Is