Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for a nitrogen atom?

• A. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^5
• B. 1s^2 2s^1 2p^4
• C. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6
• D. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the atomic number of nitrogen, which is 7. This means a nitrogen atom has 7 electrons to arrange in its electron configuration.
2. Step 2: Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, then 2p.
3. Step 3: Fill the 1s orbital first with 2 electrons, then the 2s orbital with 2 electrons, accounting for 4 electrons so far.
4. Step 4: Place the remaining 3 electrons in the 2p orbitals. Since 2p can hold up to 6 electrons, nitrogen will have 3 electrons in 2p.
5. Step 5: Write the full electron configuration as \$1s^2 2s^2 2p^3$, which matches the correct answer given.