Which of the following electron configurations represents that of an atom in its ground state?
Answer Details
The electron configuration of an atom in its ground state is the arrangement of electrons in the lowest possible energy levels. The configuration that represents the ground state will have all the electrons in their respective orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. Now, looking at the options: - has a partially filled p orbital, which is not allowed for an atom in its ground state. - also has a partially filled p orbital, which is again not allowed for an atom in its ground state. - has three electrons in the p sublevel, which violates the Pauli exclusion principle. - has all the electrons in their respective orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. Thus, represents the electron configuration of an atom in its ground state. Therefore, the correct option is the one that shows the electron configuration with all the electrons in their respective orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. In this case, it is: 1s22s22p63s0.