Which simplified electron configuration correctly represents a neutral silicon atom (atomic number 14) in the ground state?

• A. $1^{s}22^{s}22^{p}63^{s}23^{p}2$
• B. $1^{s}22^{s}22^{p}63^{s}23^{p}6$
• C. $1^{s}22^{s}22^{p}63^{s}23^{p}1$
• D. $1^{s}22^{s}22^{p}63^{s}13^{p}3$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of silicon, which is 14. This means a neutral silicon atom has 14 electrons to arrange in its electron configuration.
2. Recall the order in which electron orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and so on.
3. Fill the orbitals with electrons following the maximum capacity of each: 1s can hold 2 electrons, 2s can hold 2, 2p can hold 6, 3s can hold 2, and 3p can hold 6.
4. Distribute the 14 electrons in order: fill 1s with 2 electrons, 2s with 2 electrons, 2p with 6 electrons, 3s with 2 electrons, and place the remaining electrons in 3p orbitals.
5. Write the simplified electron configuration by combining the filled orbitals and their electron counts, ensuring the total adds up to 14 electrons.