Question

use the periodic table to answer the questions: which is the correct electron configuration for sodium (na)? 1s²2s²2p⁶2d¹ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹ 1s²2p⁶3d³

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the atomic number of sodium

Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11. This means it has 11 electrons.

Step2: Fill the electron orbitals

• 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: \(2p^{6}\).
• After filling \(1s\), \(2s\), and \(2p\) (total \(2 + 2+6 = 10\) electrons), the remaining 1 electron goes into the \(3s\) orbital (\(3s^{1}\)).

Answer:

\(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{1}\) (the second option)