What is the electron configuration for Hydrogen?

What is the electron configuration for Hydrogen?

• A. 1s^2
• B. 1s^1
• C. 2s^1
• D. 2p^1

Answer: (B)

The electron configuration for hydrogen is represented as 1s^1. This notation indicates that hydrogen has one electron located in the first energy level (n = 1) and in the s subshell. The '1' before the 's' denotes the principal quantum number, which corresponds to the energy level, while the 's' indicates the type of orbital. The superscript '1' signifies that there is one electron in that orbital. Since hydrogen has only one electron, it fills the lowest available energy level, which is the 1s orbital. The other configurations listed would imply a different number of electrons or incorrect locations: 1s^2 would indicate that there are two electrons in the 1s orbital, which is not the case for hydrogen. The configurations 2s^1 and 2p^1 suggest that the electron is in the second energy level, which does not apply to hydrogen, as it contains only one electron. Thus, 1s^1 accurately reflects the presence of a single electron in hydrogen.

The electron configuration for hydrogen is represented as 1s^1. This notation indicates that hydrogen has one electron located in the first energy level (n = 1) and in the s subshell.

The '1' before the 's' denotes the principal quantum number, which corresponds to the energy level, while the 's' indicates the type of orbital. The superscript '1' signifies that there is one electron in that orbital. Since hydrogen has only one electron, it fills the lowest available energy level, which is the 1s orbital.

The other configurations listed would imply a different number of electrons or incorrect locations: 1s^2 would indicate that there are two electrons in the 1s orbital, which is not the case for hydrogen. The configurations 2s^1 and 2p^1 suggest that the electron is in the second energy level, which does not apply to hydrogen, as it contains only one electron. Thus, 1s^1 accurately reflects the presence of a single electron in hydrogen.