The condensed electron configuration of sulfur, element 16, is [Ne]3s23p4.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The condensed electron configuration of sulfur (S), atomic number 16, is [Ne]3s²3p⁴.
Explanation:
Sulfur (symbol S) is a nonmetal element found in Group 16 and Period 3 of the periodic table, and it has an atomic number of 16, meaning it has 16 electrons in a neutral atom. Electron configuration is the arrangement of these electrons in orbitals around the nucleus, and it follows a specific order governed by the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund’s rule.
Step-by-step configuration:
The full electron configuration of sulfur is:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
This means:
- 2 electrons fill the 1s orbital
- 2 electrons fill the 2s orbital
- 6 electrons fill the 2p orbital
- 2 electrons fill the 3s orbital
- 4 electrons are placed in the 3p orbital
The condensed electron configuration uses the symbol of the previous noble gas in brackets to shorten the notation. In sulfur’s case, the previous noble gas is neon (Ne), which has the electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶. So, we can write:
[Ne] 3s² 3p⁴
This shows that sulfur’s valence electrons—the electrons in the outermost shell—are in the third energy level, specifically in the 3s and 3p orbitals. There are 6 valence electrons in total (2 from 3s and 4 from 3p).
These 6 valence electrons help explain sulfur’s chemical behavior, such as its tendency to form compounds by gaining or sharing two electrons to complete its octet, as seen in molecules like H₂S (hydrogen sulfide) or SO₂ (sulfur dioxide).
In summary, the condensed electron configuration of sulfur is [Ne]3s²3p⁴, representing a total of 16 electrons distributed according to the principles of quantum mechanics.