What is the element represented by the electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d⁴?

The electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d⁴ corresponds to the element with a total of 24 electrons, which places it in the fourth period of the periodic table. This configuration indicates that after the noble gas argon ([Ar]), there are two electrons in the 4s subshell and four electrons in the 3d subshell.

When analyzing this configuration, it's important to recognize that the 3d subshell is being filled after the 4s subshell is filled. The electron distribution matches that of chromium, which has an atomic number of 24. Chromium is unique because it has a partially filled 3d subshell, contributing to its distinctive properties and stability.

In contrast, the other options represent elements with different electron configurations: iron has an electron configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d⁶, manganese is [Ar] 4s² 3d⁵, and cobalt is [Ar] 4s² 3d⁷. Each of these configurations shows a different number of electrons in the 3d subshell, making them distinct elements with different chemical properties than that of chromium.

Thus, the provided configuration specifically corresponds to chromium, reinforcing