Question

which of the following is true about the electron configurations of the representative elements?
the highest occupied s and p sublevels are partially filled.
the highest occupied s and p sublevels are completely filled.
the electrons with the highest energy are in a d sublevel.
the electrons with the highest energy are in an f sublevel.

Explanation:

Representative elements (s - block and p - block elements) have their highest - occupied s and p sublevels partially filled. Noble gases (which are not representative elements in the traditional sense of having chemical reactivity) have completely filled s and p sublevels. Transition metals have electrons in d sublevels as their highest - energy electrons in some cases, and f - block elements (lanthanides and actinides) have electrons in f sublevels.

Answer:

The highest occupied s and p sublevels are partially filled.