Which of the following is the electron configuration of an electrically neutral alkaline earth metal a. 1s2 2s1 b. 1s2 2s2 2p2 c. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 d. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 i feel like the answer is d, but i’m not sure.

Option d, 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

Explanation:

Alkaline earth metals belong to group 2 of the periodic table. Elements belonging to group 2 are beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium and radium.

Alkaline earth metals have 2 valence electrons and these two electrons are filled in outermost s sub shell.

General electronic configuration of alkaline earth metal: ns^2

In ionized state, number of electrons in s sub shell will not be 2.

Among the given, only 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2, has 2 electrons in s sub shell. So, it an electronic configuration of neutral alkaline earth metal.

c) should be the answer.

ca has a crystalline lattice with positive ions (since it is a metal, metals are positively charged) and electrons flow freely in its structure since the ca atoms have a large nuclear radius so the electrons are not tightly held, therefore the electrons can flow freely since they are not being highly attracted by the nucleus. moreover, one of the properties of metals are that they are conductors of electricity, thus proving ca is the element.