Question

Which electron configuration represents the electrons in an atom of

calcium in an excited state?
A)2-8-8
B)2-8-8-2
C)2-7-8-1
D)2-7-8-3

Answer 1

The excited state electron configuration for calcium (Ca) is represented by option C) 2-7-8-1, showing that an electron has moved to a higher energy level from the stable 4s² configuration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which electron configuration represents the electrons in an atom of calcium (Ca) in an excited state. In its ground state, calcium's electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s².

However, in an excited state, an electron from a lower energy level jumps to a higher energy level, so the configuration changes.

The correct answer is C) 2-7-8-1, reflecting that an electron has moved from the stable 4s² configuration to the next available energy level, thus giving a configuration that could be represented as 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹3d¹.