Question

What is the shorthand electron configuration for As?

Answer 1

The configuration may be written as: `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^10 4s^2 4p^3`

Explanation:

Each whole number refers to the energy shell in which the electrons are located. The letters `s, p, d, f` refer to orbitals within each energy shell where electrons are very likely to be located. Each orbital can hold up to a maximum number of electrons ( the `s` orbital 2, the `p` orbital 6 ... and so on). If you add up the number of electrons ( 33 in this case) the total equals the number of protons in the nucleus, and is also the atomic number for that element.