Question

sulfur (s) has an atomic number of 16. what is the electron configuration of sulfur? 1s²1p⁶2s²2p⁶ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴ 1s²2s²2p⁶2d⁶ 1s²1p⁶1d⁷

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - filling rules

Electrons fill orbitals in the order of increasing energy: 1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p etc. The s - orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, the p - orbital can hold a maximum of 6 electrons.

Step2: Determine number of electrons

Since sulfur has an atomic number of 16, it has 16 electrons.

Step3: Fill the orbitals

Fill the orbitals one by one. 2 electrons go in 1s, 2 in 2s, 6 in 2p, 2 in 3s and 4 in 3p. So the electron - configuration is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{4}$.

Answer:

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{4}$ (corresponding to the second option in the multiple - choice list)