Question

Identify the element for each of these electron configurations. Then determine whether this configuration is the ground state or an excited state.

a. $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^5$

b.$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{10}4p$

Short answer

a. This configuration is for element Fluorine $\left(F\right)$.

b. This configuration is for element Gallium$\left(Ga\right)$.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the configuration is the ground state or an excited state of$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^5$.

Part (a) step 1: Explanation

The electron configuration :

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^5$.

This electron configuration has $9$electrons ,$\left(Z=9\right)$and the configuration is for the element Fluorine $\left(F\right)$.

Part (b) step 1: Given Information

We need to find the configuration is the ground state or an excited state of$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{10}4p$.

Part (b) step 1: Explanation

The electron configuration is:

$1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{10}4p$

The electron configuration has $31$electrons so, $\left(Z=31\right)$and configuration is for element Gallium$\left(Ga\right)$.