Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for germanium (Ge, atomic number 32)?

• A. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^6 4p^4
• B. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^4
• C. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^2
• D. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^8 4p^4

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of germanium (Ge), which is 32. This means Ge has 32 electrons to be placed in orbitals according to the Aufbau principle.
2. Recall the order of orbital filling based on increasing energy levels: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, etc.
3. Fill the orbitals step-by-step with electrons, respecting the maximum capacity of each orbital: s (2 electrons), p (6 electrons), d (10 electrons).
4. After filling 1s^2, 2s^2, 2p^6, 3s^2, and 3p^6 (which accounts for 18 electrons), place 2 electrons in 4s, then fill the 3d orbital with 10 electrons (since 3d fills after 4s), totaling 30 electrons so far.
5. Finally, place the remaining 2 electrons in the 4p orbital to reach the total of 32 electrons, resulting in the electron configuration: \$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^{10} 4p^2$.