Question

what is the electron - configuration of potassium? o 1s² 2s² 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹ o 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹ o 1s² 2s² 2p² 3s² 3p¹⁰ 4s¹ o 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹

Explanation:

Step1: Recall potassium's atomic number

Potassium (K) has an atomic number of 19, meaning it has 19 electrons.

Step2: Fill orbitals using Aufbau principle

Electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy. 1s fills first (2 electrons), then 2s (2 electrons), 2p (6 electrons), 3s (2 electrons), 3p (6 electrons), and then 4s (1 electron left).

Answer:

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{1}$