Which electron configuration represents the element carbon (atomic number 6)?

• A. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4
• B. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2
• C. 1s^2 2s^2 3s^2
• D. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of carbon, which is 6. This means a neutral carbon atom has 6 electrons.
2. Recall that electron configurations are written by filling orbitals in order of increasing energy, following the Aufbau principle.
3. Start filling the orbitals: the 1s orbital can hold 2 electrons, so write \$1s^{2}$.
4. Next, fill the 2s orbital with 2 electrons: \$2s^{2}$.
5. Finally, place the remaining 2 electrons in the 2p orbitals: \$2p^{2}$. So, the full electron configuration is \$1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{2}$.