Final answer:
Elements in a column of the periodic table have electron configurations that correspond with their group number in the p block. Without knowing the specific group indicated by the question's arrow, the exact configuration cannot be provided, however, given options range from ns²np¹ for Group 13 to ns²np⁶ for Group 18.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general electron configurations for elements in a given column of the periodic table depend on the number of electrons in the outermost p subshell. For elements in the p block, the configurations will be in the form of ns²np¹ to ns²np⁶, depending on which group (column) the element is in.
The configuration ns²np¹ would be for Group 13 (3A), ns²np² for Group 14 (4A), ns²np³ for Group 15 (5A), ns²np⁴ for Group 16 (6A), ns²np⁵ for Group 17 (7A), and ns²np⁶ for Group 18 (8A). Without the specific group indicated by the question's arrow, we cannot determine the exact configuration.
However, based on the options provided:
- A) ns²np⁶ would be for Group 18 elements (noble gases).
- B) ns²np⁵ for Group 17 elements (halogens).
- C) ns²np⁴ for Group 16 elements (oxygen group).
- D) ns²np³ for Group 15 elements (pnictogens).
- E) ns²np¹ for Group 13 elements (group 3A).