Which electron configuration correctly represents a neutral carbon atom in its ground state?

• A. 1s2 2s1 2p3
• B. 1s2 2s2 2p2
• C. 1s2 2s2 2p4
• D. 1s2 2s2 2p6

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that a neutral carbon atom has an atomic number of 6, which means it has 6 electrons in total.
2. Understand that electron configurations are written by filling orbitals in order of increasing energy, following the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule.
3. Start filling the orbitals: the 1s orbital can hold 2 electrons, the 2s orbital can hold 2 electrons, and the 2p orbitals can hold up to 6 electrons.
4. Distribute the 6 electrons accordingly: 2 electrons fill the 1s orbital, 2 electrons fill the 2s orbital, and the remaining 2 electrons go into the 2p orbitals.
5. Verify that the electron configuration matches the total number of electrons and follows the correct order and rules, which leads to the configuration \(1\mathrm{s}^2\ 2\mathrm{s}^2\ 2\mathrm{p}^2\).