Write the full electron configuration for each element. a. C b. P c. Ar d. Na

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Identify the atomic number of each element to determine the number of electrons: C (Carbon) has 6, P (Phosphorus) has 15, Ar (Argon) has 18, and Na (Sodium) has 11.

Use the Aufbau principle to fill the electron orbitals in order of increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, etc.

For Carbon (C), distribute 6 electrons: Fill 1s with 2 electrons, 2s with 2 electrons, and place the remaining 2 electrons in 2p.

For Phosphorus (P), distribute 15 electrons: Fill 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and place the remaining electrons in 3p.

For Argon (Ar), distribute 18 electrons: Fill 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p completely. For Sodium (Na), distribute 11 electrons: Fill 1s, 2s, 2p, and place the remaining electron in 3s.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill the lowest energy orbitals first, and is represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons, such as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶.

Periodic Table and Atomic Structure

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and electron configuration. Understanding an element's position in the table helps predict its electron configuration, as elements in the same group often have similar configurations, particularly in their outermost shells.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are crucial for determining an element's chemical properties and reactivity. The number of valence electrons influences how an element bonds with others, making it essential to consider when writing electron configurations.