Final answer:
The correct electronic configuration for arsenic (As) is [Ar] 4s₂ 3d₁₀ 4p₃, following the Aufbau principle and the periodic table position of arsenic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct electronic configuration for the element arsenic (As) is [Ar] 4s₂ 3d₁₀ 4p₃. This notation indicates that arsenic starts with the electron configuration of argon (Ar), a noble gas, and then fills the 4s orbitals with 2 electrons, the 3d orbitals with 10 electrons, and finally 4p orbitals with 3 electrons.
To understand this, you can refer to the periodic table and the Aufbau principle. The element arsenic (As) is located in period 4 and group 15, which means in terms of electron configuration, arsenic gains electrons following argon. As per Aufbau principle, electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level, 4s₂, before moving to the higher energy d orbitals, 3d₁₀, and then to the p orbitals, 4p₃. Out of the provided options, only option (a) reflects this correct sequence.