---
title: "A sample of a neutral gaseous element absorbs a photon of electromagnetic radiation, promoting a valence electron to an unoccupied higher-energy orbital without ionizing the atom. The resulting electron configuration of the atom in this excited state is \\(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4 4s^1\\). Which of the following identifies the neutral atom?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120156/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T16:02:38+00:00"
---

# A sample of a neutral gaseous element absorbs a photon of electromagnetic radiation, promoting a valence electron to an unoccupied higher-energy orbital without ionizing the atom. The resulting electron configuration of the atom in this excited state is \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4 4s^1\). Which of the following identifies the neutral atom?

A sample of a neutral gaseous element absorbs a photon of electromagnetic radiation, promoting a valence electron to an unoccupied higher-energy orbital without ionizing the atom. The resulting electron configuration of the atom in this excited state is \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4 4s^1\). Which of the following identifies the neutral atom?

- **A.** \(\text{P}\)
- **B.** \(\text{Cl}\)
- **C.** \(\text{Ar}\)
- **D.** \(\text{K}\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120156/*