Draw the electron configuration for a neutral atom of calcium
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The electron configuration for a neutral atom of calcium (Ca), which has an atomic number of 20, is as follows:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s²
Explanation:
- Atomic Number: The atomic number of calcium is 20, meaning it has 20 electrons when neutral.
- Electron Shells:
- First Shell (1st energy level): Can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. These electrons fill the 1s orbital, giving us 1s².
- Second Shell (2nd energy level): Can hold a maximum of 8 electrons. The 2s orbital fills first, followed by the 2p orbital. This gives us 2s² 2p⁶.
- Third Shell (3rd energy level): This shell can hold up to 18 electrons, but calcium only requires 8 electrons in the third shell. The 3s orbital fills first, followed by the 3p orbital. This gives us 3s² 3p⁶.
- Fourth Shell (4th energy level): The 4s orbital is the next to be filled after the 3p orbital. Calcium has 2 electrons in the 4s orbital, which is represented as 4s².
- Energy Level Order: Electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy levels, with the 4s orbital being filled after the 3p orbital because 4s has lower energy than 3d (which is not needed for calcium since it doesn’t have enough electrons to require filling the 3d orbital).
Summary:
The electron configuration of calcium (Ca) reflects its position in the periodic table, with its electrons arranged to minimize energy. Calcium, being in the alkaline earth metal group, ends its configuration at 4s², signifying its 2 valence electrons.
