The atomic number of carbon is 6, and its electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2.
To break it down:
- The 1s^2 part represents the first energy level, which can hold up to 2 electrons.
- The 2s^2 part represents the second energy level and the s sublevel, which can hold up to 2 electrons.
- The 2p^2 part represents the second energy level and the p sublevel, which can hold up to 6 electrons but only 2 electrons are present in the case of carbon.
So, in summary, the electron configuration of carbon is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2.