Choose the best description of what's wrong with the following electron configuration for an electrically-neutral atom of sulfur (s) (atomic number = 16): 1s1 2s2 2p5 3s2 3p6

a) the total number of electrons in the configuration does not equal 16, the atomic number of sulfur.
b) there are low energy orbitals which have not been filled to hold the maximum number of electrons.
c) the configuration is incorrect for neither of these reasons.
d) the configuration is incorrect for both reasons.

The correct answer is:

B) There are low energy orbitals which have not been filled to hold the maximum number of electrons.

Explanation:

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The electronic configuration proposed is:

(S) (atomic number = 16): 1s1 2s2 2p5 3s2 3p6

We know that to go to the next orbital, you must complete the maximum amount of electrons you can have. In an orbital s, the maximum number of electrons is two. In a p orbital, the maximum number of electrons is 6.

The correct electronic configuration is:

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4.

The correct answer, since the orbitals have not been completed before moving on to the next one is:

B) There are low energy orbitals which have not been filled to hold the maximum number of electrons.