Question

Draw the electron configuration for a neutral atom of calcium

Answer 1

In order to write the Calcium electron configuration we first need to know the number of electrons for the Ca atom (there are 20 electrons). When we write the configuration we'll put all 20 electrons in orbitals around the nucleus of the Calcium atom.

In writing the electron configuration for Calcium the first two electrons will go in the 1s orbital. Since 1s can only hold two electrons the next 2 electrons for Calcium go in the 2s orbital. The next six electrons will go in the 2p orbital. The p orbital can hold up to six electrons. We'll put six in the 2p orbital and then put the next two electrons in the 3s. Since the 3s if now full we'll move to the 3p where we'll place the next six electrons. We now shift to the 4s orbital where we place the remaining two electrons. Therefore the Calcium electron configuration will be 1s22s22p63s23p64s2.