Final answer:
An excited state electron configuration for sodium (Na) could place the valence electron in a higher energy orbital, such as [Ne] 3s² 3p¹, where the 3s orbital would be empty after the electron transitions to the 3p orbital.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron configuration of sodium (Na) in its ground state is [Ne] 3s¹. When an atom is in an excited state, its electrons have absorbed energy and may jump to higher energy orbitals. In the case of sodium, the excited state might involve the valence electron moving from the 3s to a 3p or even a higher orbital, such as 3d or 4s. For example, one possible excited state configuration could be [Ne] 3s² 3p¹, which assumes the valence electron has absorbed enough energy to move from the 3s to the 3p orbital, leaving the 3s orbital empty.