In the simplified electron-configuration notation, what is the electron configuration of a proton (p⁺)?

• A. $1s^2$
• B. $1s^0$
• C. $1s^1$
• D. $2p^1$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. Since a proton (p⁺) is a subatomic particle with a positive charge and no electrons, it does not have an electron configuration like atoms do.
2. Recall that the notation \$1s^2\( means there are 2 electrons in the 1s orbital, \)1s^1\( means 1 electron in the 1s orbital, and \)1s^0$ means no electrons in the 1s orbital.
3. Since a proton has zero electrons, its electron configuration must reflect that there are no electrons present in any orbital.
4. Therefore, the electron configuration of a proton is represented as \$1s^0$, indicating the 1s orbital is empty.
5. Note that configurations like \$1s^1\( or \)2p^1$ imply the presence of electrons, which is not applicable to a proton.