Final answer:
The electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰ represents the element Copper (Cu) and refers to the distribution of its 29 electrons across various orbitals in its atomic structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element that corresponds to the electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰ is Copper (Cu). The electron configuration notation simplifies the way we represent the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals.
In this configuration, Copper has a total of 29 electrons, where the first two are in the 1s orbital, the next two in the 2s, six in the 2p, two in the 3s, four in the 3p, one in the 4s, and finally ten in the 3d orbital. The energy order of orbitals follows 1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s, and then 3d comes after 4s even though it pertains to the third shell due to its higher energy level.
This configuration indicates a neutral atom of Copper with filled d orbitals and an extra electron in the 4s sublevel.