Question

What element is represented by `[Ar]4s^2 3d^10 4p^1`?

Answer 1

The element is gallium (Ga), which has the atomic number 31.

Explanation:

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

If you look up the element argon, Ar, on the periodic table, you will see that its atomic number is 18, which means that it has 18 protons in its atomic nuclei. In a neutral atom, the numbers of protons and electrons are equal. So a neutral Ar atom has 18 electrons. Therefore, the symbol `["Ar"]` in the given electron configuration represents 18 electrons. Add the additional electrons represented by the superscripts in the rest of the electron configuration, and you get 31 electrons `(18+13=31)`.