Question

Give the electronic configuration of the following element.

Magnesium

Answer 1

Electronic configuration:

1. The distribution of electrons in various energy levels or shells of an atom of the element is known as its electronic configuration.
2. Starting from the nucleus, the shells are named as $\mathrm{K},\mathrm{L},\mathrm{M},\mathrm{N},$….. and so on.
3. The capacity of $\mathrm{K}$ shell is to hold maximum $2$ electrons, that of $\mathrm{L}$ shell is to hold $8$ electrons, that of $\mathrm{M}$ shell is to hold $18$ electrons and that of $\mathrm{N}$ shell is to hold $32$ electrons.

Write the electronic configuration of Magnesium $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{Mg}\mathbf{\right)}$:

1. The atomic number of Magnesium is $12$. Thus, the total number of electrons in Magnesium atom is $12$.
2. The first $\mathrm{K}$ shell will hold $2$ electrons, the second $\mathrm{L}$ shell holds $8$ electrons and the third $\mathrm{M}$ shell holds remaining $2$ electrons.
3. Thus, the electronic configuration is $(2,8,2)$.

Thus, the electronic configuration of Magnesium is $(2,8,2)$.