Discover a world of knowledge at Westonci.ca, where experts and enthusiasts come together to answer your questions. Ask your questions and receive precise answers from experienced professionals across different disciplines. Our platform offers a seamless experience for finding reliable answers from a network of knowledgeable professionals.

Which is the electron configuration for lithium?

A. \(1s^2\)
B. \(2s^3\)
C. \(1s^2 2s^1\)
D. [tex]\(1s^1 2s^2\)[/tex]


Sagot :

To determine the electron configuration of lithium, we should consider its atomic number and the arrangement of electrons in different energy levels.

1. Identify the atomic number of lithium: Lithium has an atomic number of 3. This means it has 3 electrons.

2. Distribute the electrons into different energy levels:
- The first energy level (shell) can hold up to 2 electrons.
- Hence, we place the first 2 electrons in the 1s orbital: \(1s^2\).
- The second energy level can hold up to 8 electrons, but since we only have 1 electron left, it goes into the 2s orbital: \(2s^1\).

Putting it all together, the electron configuration of lithium is:
[tex]\[ 1s^2 2s^1 \][/tex]

So, the correct answer is [tex]\( 1s^2 2s^1 \)[/tex].