The electronic configuration of an atom with atomic number 28, which is nickel (Ni), is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁸ 4s².
This configuration shows how electrons are arranged in various energy levels and subshells. Let’s break it down:
- 1s²: There are 2 electrons in the first shell (K shell).
- 2s² 2p⁶: The second shell (L shell) can hold a total of 8 electrons, with 2 in the 2s subshell and 6 in the 2p subshell.
- 3s² 3p⁶: The third shell (M shell) also holds 8 electrons: 2 in the 3s and 6 in the 3p subshell.
- 3d⁸ 4s²: In the fourth shell (N shell), it holds 2 electrons in the 4s subshell and 8 in the 3d, showing the transition of elements.
In total, these subshells add up to 28 electrons, which defines nickel’s electron structure. The arrangement is crucial as it informs us about the chemical behavior and reactivity of the element.