Question

What noble gas configuration would be found by removing 4 electrons from carbon?

a) He
b) Ne
c) Ar
d) Kr

Answer 1

Removing 4 electrons from the carbon atom results in the noble gas configuration of helium (He).

Step-by-step explanation:

If you remove 4 electrons from carbon, which has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p2, you would be left with an electron configuration of 1s2, which corresponds to the noble gas helium (He). The noble gas configurations are stable configurations that elements tend to achieve through various chemical reactions, including the gain or loss of electrons. In the case of carbon, removing 4 electrons would mean it loses all its valence electrons (those in the 2s and 2p orbitals), thus reaching the stability of helium, the closest noble gas with fewer electrons.