Question

How many electrons would be in an atom of carbon that has six protons and six neutrons? Complete the atom by writing the correct number of electrons in the configuration.

1. Electron Level 1: _____________
a) 2
b) 3
c) 9
d) 5

Answer 1

A carbon atom with six protons and six neutrons will have six electrons to be electrically neutral. The first energy level (Electron Level 1) will have two electrons, resulting in a complete electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p2.

Step-by-step explanation:

An atom of carbon that has six protons and six neutrons would have the same number of electrons as protons to be electrically neutral. Since the atomic number of carbon is 6, indicating it has six protons, a stable carbon-12 atom would also have six electrons. Therefore, the correct number of electrons for Electron Level 1 (also known as the first energy level or K shell) is 2 electrons. The electronic configuration of carbon would be completed with the remaining four electrons in Electron Level 2 (also known as the L shell), following the order of fill rule and Hund's rule.

The full electron configuration for carbon is 1s2 2s2 2p2, where '1s' refers to the first electron shell, and '2s' and '2p' refer to the subshells in the second electron shell.