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.