1. Determine the Atomic Number:
* Barium (Ba) has an atomic number of 56. This means it has 56 protons and, in a neutral atom, 56 electrons.
2. Electron Configuration:
* 1st Energy Level (n=1): 2 electrons (1s²)
* 2nd Energy Level (n=2): 8 electrons (2s² 2p⁶)
* 3rd Energy Level (n=3): 18 electrons (3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰)
* 4th Energy Level (n=4): 18 electrons (4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰)
* 5th Energy Level (n=5): 8 electrons (5s² 5p⁶)
* 6th Energy Level (n=6): 2 electrons (6s²)
Summary:
* n=1: 2 electrons
* n=2: 8 electrons
* n=3: 18 electrons
* n=4: 18 electrons
* n=5: 8 electrons
* n=6: 2 electrons
Important Note: This is the electron configuration for a neutral barium atom. If barium loses electrons to form an ion, the electron configuration will change.
