write the electron configuration for a neutral atom of carbon.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine atomic number of carbon

Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so a neutral carbon - atom has 6 electrons.

Step2: Fill orbitals according to Aufbau principle

The first 2 electrons go into the 1s orbital, written as $1s^{2}$. The next 2 electrons go into the 2s orbital, written as $2s^{2}$. The remaining 2 electrons go into the 2p orbital, written as $2p^{2}$.

Answer:

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{2}$