Question

which is the electron configuration for zinc? 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d⁸ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹3d¹⁰ 1s²2s²2p⁵3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰

Explanation:

Zinc (Zn) has an atomic number of 30, meaning it has 30 electrons. The electron configuration follows the Aufbau principle. The correct filling order is \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^{10}\) because:

• The \(4s\) orbital fills before \(3d\).
• After filling \(4s^2\), the \(3d\) orbital gets 10 electrons (to reach the stable configuration for zinc).
• Checking the options:
• The first option has \(3d^8\), incorrect (should be \(3d^{10}\)).
• The second has \(4s^1\), incorrect (zinc has \(4s^2\)).
• The third has \(2p^5\) (should be \(2p^6\)), incorrect.
• The fourth option matches the correct electron configuration for zinc.

Answer:

D. \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^{10}\) (assuming the last option is D; if options are labeled differently, adjust the label but keep the configuration text)