Final answer:
A highly ordered atomic arrangement signifies the structured organization of atoms in a crystalline solid, where atoms are patterned in a stable, three-dimensional array. This efficient packing minimizes intermolecular energy and maximizes stability. The electron configuration of atoms, while important for chemical interactions, is a separate consideration.
So the correct answer is option (C).
Step-by-step explanation:
A highly ordered atomic arrangement refers to the structured organization of atoms in a material. This typically occurs in crystalline solids, where atoms are arranged in a regular, three-dimensional array, forming a crystal lattice. This regular array maximizes the attractive interactions between particles and minimizes the total intermolecular energy, leading to a more stable structure. In contrast, amorphous solids, like glass, lack this ordered structure and have their atoms distributed in a more random fashion.
The electron configuration of atoms is an unrelated concept that describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. While electron configuration contributes to how an atom interacts chemically, it does not directly describe the atomic arrangement in a solid material.
The best choice for describing a highly ordered atomic arrangement from the given options is 'C. The structured organization of atoms in a material refers to the orderly pattern found in crystalline solids, which can sometimes be observed at the macroscopic level. Such an arrangement is a result of particles packing in the most efficient manner thermodynamically.