Which element corresponds to the configuration [Ne] 3s^2 3p^5?

The configuration [Ne] 3s² 3p⁵ describes the distribution of electrons in an atom and indicates that the atom has a total of 17 electrons. The notation [Ne] represents the electron configuration of Neon, which accounts for the first 10 electrons. The 3s² indicates that there are 2 electrons in the 3s subshell, and the 3p⁵ indicates that there are 5 electrons in the 3p subshell.

When you add these electrons together (10 from Neon, 2 from 3s, and 5 from 3p), you arrive at a total of 17 electrons. This matches the atomic number of chlorine, which also has 17 protons.

Understanding the electron configuration helps in identifying the element. Chlorine is found in group 17 of the periodic table, known as the halogens, and its electron configuration reflects its position in this group. The presence of 5 electrons in the 3p subshell shows that chlorine is one electron short of completing its outer shell, making it highly reactive and likely to gain an electron during chemical reactions, consistent with the properties of halogens.

The other options do not correspond to the configuration given. For