Question

multiple choice question
which element is represented with the orbital diagram shown here?
beryllium
silicon
carbon
oxygen

Explanation:

Step1: Count the electrons

Each upward or downward arrow represents an electron. In the 1s orbital, there are 2 electrons (one up - arrow and one down - arrow). In the 2s orbital, there are 2 electrons (one up - arrow and one down - arrow). In the 2p orbital, there are 2 electrons (two up - arrows). So the total number of electrons is \(2 + 2+2=6\).

Step2: Relate electrons to atomic number

The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to its atomic number. An element with atomic number 6 is carbon. Beryllium has atomic number 4 (2 electrons in 1s and 2 electrons in 2s), silicon has atomic number 14 (\(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{2}\)), and oxygen has atomic number 8 (\(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{4}\)).

Answer:

carbon