What is electron configuration?

The concept of electron configuration refers specifically to the distribution of electrons among various orbitals within an atom. This arrangement describes how electrons fill available energy levels and orbitals according to specific rules, such as the Pauli exclusion principle and Hund's rule.

In essence, electron configuration provides a detailed picture of electron arrangements, indicating which orbitals are occupied and how many electrons are present in each. This is crucial for understanding an element's chemical properties and behavior during reactions, as the arrangement directly influences the atom's ability to bond with others.

In contrast, other choices focus on different aspects of atomic structure. The arrangement of protons in the nucleus pertains to nuclear structure, while the structure of the electron cloud and the energy levels of an atom's nucleus address concepts that are not directly about how electrons are distributed within the atom itself. Thus, the distribution of electrons among various orbitals is the most accurate definition of electron configuration.