Question

write the complete ground - state electron configuration of potassium. for multi - digit superscripts or coefficients, use each number in succession.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the atomic number of potassium

Potassium (K) has an atomic number \( Z = 19\). This means it has 19 electrons in its neutral ground - state.

Step2: Use the Aufbau principle

The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy. The order of filling is \(1s<2s < 2p<3s<3p<4s<3d<4p<\cdots\).

• The \(1s\) orbital can hold 2 electrons: \(1s^{2}\)
• The \(2s\) orbital can hold 2 electrons: \(2s^{2}\)
• The \(2p\) orbital can hold 6 electrons: \(2p^{6}\)
• The \(3s\) orbital can hold 2 electrons: \(3s^{2}\)
• The \(3p\) orbital can hold 6 electrons: \(3p^{6}\)
• After filling \(3p\), the next orbital is \(4s\). Since we have \(19-(2 + 2+6 + 2+6)=1\) electron left, the \(4s\) orbital gets 1 electron: \(4s^{1}\)

Answer:

\(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{1}\)