Choose the element described by the following electron configuration. 1s22s22p63s23p64s1

Potassium

Explanation:

We are going to assume that this is an atom in it's ground state, not an ion.

Now let us count all the electrons

2 in the 1s orbital

2 in the 2s orbital

6 in the 2 p orbital

2 in the 3s orbital

6 in the 3p orbital

1 in the 4s orbital

Add them all up and we get 19. The element with 19 protons and hence 19 electrons in potassium

Hey there.

By adding up all the "exponents," you'll get a number of 19. By looking at a periodic table, the element of such an atomic number is potassium or K.