The electron configuration of carbon atom in its excited state is
- 1s\(^{2}\)2s\(^{2}\)2px\(^{2}\)2py\(^{0}\)
- 1s\(^{2}\)2s\(^{2}\)2px\(^{1}\)2py\(^{1}\)
-
1s\(^{2}\)2s\(^{1}\)2px\(^{1}\)2py\(^{1}\)2pz\(^{1}\)
- 1s\(^{1}\)2s\(^{2}\)2px\(^{1}\)2py\(^{1}\)
The correct answer is: C
Explanation
- So any electron configuration in which the last electron (again, the valence electron) is in a higher energy orbital, this element is said to be in an excited state.
- When a carbon atom becomes excited by absorbing energy, one of its 2s electrons is promoted into the 2p sublevel.