The electron configuration for magnesium is shown below. 1s22s22p63s2
Which diagram shows the correct distribution of electrons in the electron shells of a magnesium atom?
A. A gray circle labeled 3 P 4 N is surrounded by two concentric circles. The inner circle has gray dots at the north and south positions, and the outer circle has a dot at the north position.
B. A gray circle labeled 4 P 5 N is surrounded by two concentric circles. Each of the concentric circles has gray dots at the north and south positions.
C. A gray circle labeled 12 P 12 N is surrounded by three concentric circles. The innermost circle has gray dots at the north and south positions; the middle circle has eight gray dots equally spaced around the circle, with dots aligned with those in the inner circle; the outer circle has gray dots at the north and south positions.
D. A gray circle labeled 12 P 12 N is surrounded by three concentric circles. The innermost circle has gray dots at the north and south positions; the middle circle has eight gray dots equally spaced around the circle, with dots aligned with those in the inner circle; the outer circle has a gray dot at the north position.