Questions: Write the complete ground-state electron configuration of magnesium.

Solution Steps

• Magnesium has an atomic number of 12, which means it has 12 electrons in its neutral state.

• Electrons fill orbitals in the order of increasing energy levels, following the Aufbau principle. The order is: \(1s\), \(2s\), \(2p\), \(3s\), \(3p\), \(4s\), \(3d\), \(4p\), etc.

• Start filling the orbitals with the 12 electrons of magnesium:
  • \(1s^2\): The first 2 electrons fill the \(1s\) orbital.
  • \(2s^2\): The next 2 electrons fill the \(2s\) orbital.
  • \(2p^6\): The next 6 electrons fill the \(2p\) orbital.
  • \(3s^2\): The remaining 2 electrons fill the \(3s\) orbital.

• Combine the filled orbitals to write the complete ground-state electron configuration of magnesium:
  • \(1s^2 \, 2s^2 \, 2p^6 \, 3s^2\).

Final Answer