Question

sulfur (s) has an atomic number of 16. what is the ground - state 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 etc. The s - orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, the p - orbital can hold a maximum of 6 electrons.

Step2: Fill electrons for sulfur (Z = 16)

For sulfur with an atomic number of 16, we start filling orbitals. 1s gets 2 electrons (1s²), 2s gets 2 electrons (2s²), 2p gets 6 electrons (2p⁶), 3s gets 2 electrons (3s²) and then the remaining 4 electrons go into the 3p orbital (3p⁴). So the electron - configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴.

Answer:

1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴