A deep-space reconnaissance probe retrieves a pristine micro-meteorite containing an uncharacterized metallic element. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that each isolated neutral atom in its ground state possesses fully filled $n = 1$ and $n = 2$ principal energy levels, exactly 14 electrons in the $n = 3$ level, and 2 electrons in the $n = 4$ level. Which of the following represents the correct complete ground-state electron configuration for this atom?

A) $1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^2\,3p^6\,3d^8$

B) $1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^2\,3p^6\,4s^2\,4p^6$

C) $1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^2\,3p^6\,4s^2\,3d^6$

D) $1s^2\,2s^2\,2p^6\,3s^2\,3p^4\,4s^2\,3d^8$

Electron configurations Original Scenario-Based Practice

Chemistry · Atomic Structure · Chemistry · Electrons in Atoms

1 Chemistry practice questions on Electron configurations. Questions built around original scenarios.

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Atomic Structure · Chemistry

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