What is the electron configuration of a selenium atom in an excited state?

1 Answer
Jun 15, 2017

"[Ar]3d"^10"4s"^2"4p"^3"5s"^1"

Explanation:

The excited state of an atom occurs when it has absorbed energy. When this happens, an electron can jump to a higher energy level, which is very unstable, before dropping back to its ground state.

Ground state electron configuration for selenium, atomic number 34 is:

"[Ar]3d"^10"4s"^2"4p"^4"

An excited state electron configuration could be:

"[Ar]3d"^10"4s"^2"4p"^3"5s"^1"

One "4p" electron is now occupying the "5s" orbital.