An element with an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 will have properties most similar to which element?

1 Answer
May 17, 2018

sodium (Na)

Explanation:

Given: electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1

The periodic table can generally be used to find the electron configuration of an element. There are a few special cases:

1st column, hydrogen + alkali metals: 1s^1

2nd column, alkaline earth metals: 1s^2

3rd-12th columns, transition metals: d^1 -> d^6

13th-18th columns, Boron - neon: p^1 -> p^6

Inner transition metals: f^1 -> f^14

Look at the last set of electrons (valence) in your example: 3s^1

This means the element falls within the column 1: alkali metals. The 3 represents the number of energy levels (periodic table row).

This means 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 = the electron configuration for sodium (Na).