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Question 5 • Chemistry

The electron configuration for Helium (He) is shown. 1 s squared Which diagram shows the correct distribution of electrons in the electron shells of a helium atom?

Answer

Image with description A gray circle is labeled 2 P 2 N. A concentric circle surrounding it has two gray dots, at the north and south positions.

Image with description A gray circle is labeled 6 P 6 N is surrounded by two concentric circles. The inner circle has dots at the north and south positions; the outer circle has dots at the north, south, east, and west positions.

Image with description A gray circle is labeled 5 P 6 N. It is surrounded by two concentric circles. The inner circle has gray dots at the north and south positions. The outer circle has three evenly spaced dots; none of these align with the dots in the inner circle.

Image with description A gray circle labeled 1 P 0 N is surrounded by a concentric circle with one gray dot at the north position.

Explanation

Helium has the electron configuration 1s², meaning both of its electrons occupy the first electron shell. The correct diagram must therefore show two electrons in one shell around a helium nucleus, which is shown in choice D. The other diagrams show either the wrong number of electrons or more than one shell.

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