Question

A neutral atom has an electron configuration of 1s^22s^22p^2. Which of the following statements are correct?

a) The atom is oxygen.
b) The atom has 6 protons.
c) The atom has 2 valence electrons.
d) The atom is in the third period.

Answer 1

Oxygen is the atom with the given electron configuration. It has 6 valence electrons and is in the second energy level.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron configuration of Oxygen (O) atom is 1s²2s²2p⁴. Oxygen has six valence electrons in the second energy level, (2s²2p⁴). The anion O² is formed when two electrons are gained in the valence shell.

The resulting electron configuration, 1s²2s²2p⁶, which is also identical to the configuration for the noble gas neon.