What is the electronic configuration of a neutral sodium atom?
Correct Answer: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
- Step 1: Understand that a neutral sodium atom has 11 electrons because its atomic number is 11.
- Step 2: Electrons are arranged in energy levels or shells around the nucleus of the atom.
- Step 3: The first energy level can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. So, we fill this level first: 1s2.
- Step 4: The second energy level can hold a maximum of 8 electrons. We fill this level next: 2s2 2p6.
- Step 5: Now we have used 10 electrons (2 in the first level and 8 in the second level). We have 1 electron left.
- Step 6: The third energy level starts with the 3s subshell, where we place the last electron: 3s1.
- Step 7: Combine all the filled subshells to write the complete electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1.
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