6. What is wrong with the following electron configurations for atoms in their ground states?

a) 1s^2 2s^2 3s^1

b) (Ne) 2s^2 2p^3

c) (Ne) 3s^2 3d^5

1 answer

a) 1s^2 2s^2 3s^1
2P1 should follow 2s2

b) (Ne) 2s^2 2p^3
[Ne] is 1s2 2s2 2p6; therefore, you already have electrons in 2s2 2p3 orbitals.

c) (Ne) 3s^2 3d^5
See the answer to part b.