What is the electron configuration for the silicon atom?

1 Answer
Jan 8, 2018

#[Ne]3s^2\3p^2#

Explanation:

Silicon has an atomic number of #14#, so a neutral silicon atom would have #14# electrons.

Therefore, it would have enough electrons to fill up till its #3p# shell.

Its electron configuration would be

#1s^2\2s^2\2p^6\3s^2\3p^2#

We know that neon is a noble gas with an electron configuration of
#1s^2\2s^2\2p^6#.

So, we can shorten silicon's electron configuration to a noble-gas configuration, which would be

#[Ne]3s^2\3p^2#