Question

What is the electron configuration of an element with atomic number 16?

Answer 1

`1 s^2 2 s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4`

Explanation:

Sulfur number 16 has an electron configuration similar to Oxygen
both with 4 p electrons. This electron configuration lends itself to a -2 charge as the 2 unpaired p electrons bond and share electron density with the extra electrons from other atoms.

Because sulfur has a lower electronegativity than Oxygen the electron configuration of sulfur can result in a +2, +4 or +6 charge as well as the -2 charge.

The first shell has 2 electrons
The second shell has 8 electrons
This total of 10 electrons leaves
The third shell with 6 electrons for a
total of 16 electrons.

`1 s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4`