What is the ground state electron configuration of an oxygen atom? (2023)

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Question: What is the ground state electron configuration of an oxygen atom? (2023)

Options:

Correct Answer: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴

Exam Year: 2023

Solution:

Oxygen has 8 electrons, and its ground state electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴.

What is the ground state electron configuration of an oxygen atom? (2023)

What is the ground state electron configuration of an oxygen atom? (2023)

Step 1: Understand that an oxygen atom has 8 electrons.
Step 2: Know that electrons fill energy levels starting from the lowest energy level.
Step 3: The first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, so we fill it first: 1s².
Step 4: The second energy level can hold up to 8 electrons, so we move to it next.
Step 5: In the second energy level, we fill the 2s orbital with 2 electrons: 2s².
Step 6: Now we have 4 electrons left to place in the 2p orbital, which can hold up to 6 electrons: 2p⁴.
Step 7: Combine all the filled orbitals to write the full electron configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴.

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