Question

What element has the electron configuration `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4`?

Answer 1

`Z=16`, therefore the element is silicon.

Explanation:

The neutral atom contains as many electrons, negatively charged particles, as positively charged particles, which reside in the nucleus. There are 16 electrons, and thus `Z`, the nuclear charge is necessarily `16`.

If `Z` `=` `16`, the element clearly silicon, `Si`. Capisce?