Chapter 5 - Electron Configurations and the Periodic Table - Questions for Review and Thought - Applying Concepts - Page 240f: 125d

impossible

For this problem, we are asked to determine whether the electrons are in the ground or the excited state. To do this, we look at their configurations and see if they represent the way that we would normally add electrons to shells. 3 electrons cannot be forced into an s shell, even in the excited state; thus, the configuration is impossible.