Which element is indicated by the electron configuration [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁰?

The electron configuration [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁰ corresponds to the element dysprosium (Dy). In this configuration, the notation [Xe] represents the electron configuration of xenon, which includes 54 electrons. The additional 6s² designates two electrons in the 6s subshell, and the 4f¹⁰ indicates that there are ten electrons in the 4f subshell.

Dysprosium has a total of 66 electrons, which matches the electron configuration provided. The 4f block elements, known as the lanthanides, are characterized by the filling of the 4f subshell. Dysprosium is specifically the sixth element in this series when counting from lanthanum, which starts the 4f subshell filling.

In contrast to dysprosium, other elements listed in the choices have different electron configurations. For instance, ytterbium would require one less electron in the 4f subshell, europium has a unique electron loss leading to a different configuration (4f⁷), and americium falls within the actinides with a different filling sequence. This configuration accurately reflects the properties and electronic structure of dysprosium, thus