The following electron configurations represent excited states. Identify the element and write its ground-state condensed electron configuration. (b) 3Ar44s13d104p25p1

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given electron configuration: \([\text{Ar}]4s^13d^{10}4p^25p^1\).
2. Recognize that this configuration is an excited state because electrons are in higher energy levels than expected for the ground state.
3. Determine the total number of electrons by adding the electrons in the configuration: 18 (from Ar) + 1 (from 4s) + 10 (from 3d) + 2 (from 4p) + 1 (from 5p) = 32 electrons.
4. Identify the element with 32 electrons, which is Germanium (Ge).
5. Write the ground-state electron configuration for Germanium: \([\text{Ar}]4s^23d^{10}4p^2\).

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is typically represented in a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons. Understanding how to read and write electron configurations is essential for identifying the element and determining its ground state.

Excited State vs. Ground State

The ground state of an atom is its lowest energy configuration, where electrons occupy the lowest available energy levels. An excited state occurs when one or more electrons have absorbed energy and moved to higher energy levels. Recognizing the difference between these states is crucial for converting an excited state configuration back to its ground state.

Condensed Electron Configuration

Condensed electron configuration is a shorthand notation that simplifies the representation of an atom's electron arrangement by using the nearest noble gas to represent core electrons. This method makes it easier to visualize and write configurations, especially for larger elements, and is particularly useful when identifying the ground state of an element from its excited state.