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Which is the electron configuration for lithium?

A. [tex]1s^2[/tex]

B. [tex]2s^3[/tex]

C. [tex]1s^2 \, 2s^1[/tex]

D. [tex]1s^1 \, 2s^2[/tex]


Sagot :

To determine the electron configuration for lithium, we'll take into account that lithium has an atomic number of 3. This means lithium has 3 electrons.

The electron configuration follows a specific order based on increasing energy levels:

1. The first energy level (1s) can hold up to 2 electrons.
2. The second energy level starts with the 2s orbital, which can hold up to 2 electrons.

Following these rules, we can distribute the 3 electrons of lithium:

1. The 1s orbital can hold 2 electrons. So we start by filling this orbital: [tex]\( 1s^2 \)[/tex].
2. After the 1s orbital is filled, we move to the 2s orbital. We have 1 electron left to place in the 2s orbital: [tex]\( 2s^1 \)[/tex].

Combining these, the electron configuration for lithium is [tex]\( 1s^2 2s^1 \)[/tex].

Therefore, the correct option is:

[tex]\[ 1s^2 2s^1 \][/tex]