Chapter 7, Problem 137QP

Which of the following is the correct abbreviated ground-state electron configuration for germanium, Ge?

$\begin{array}{l}\text{A}\text{. [Ne]3}{s}^{\text{2}}3p^2\hfill \\ \text{B}\text{. [Ne]4}{s}^{\text{2}}\text{3}{d}^{6}4p^6\hfill \\ \text{C}\text{. [Ar]4}{s}^{\text{2}}\text{4}{d}^{10}4p^2\hfill \\ \text{D}\text{. [Ar]4}{s}^{\text{2}}\text{4}{d}^{8}4p^4\hfill \\ \text{E}\text{. [Ar]4}{s}^{\text{2}}\text{3}{d}^{10}4p^2\hfill \end{array}$

For each incorrect answer, determine if it is a correct ground-state electron configuration for any other element, and if so, identify the element.