In carbon, electrons are distributed as 1s² 2s² 2p², meaning two electrons in the first shell and four in the second shell. Sodium has an electron distribution of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹, with two electrons in the first shell, eight in the second, and one in the third.
Carbon (C):
Atomic number: 6
Electron configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p²
Distribution by shell:
K-shell (first shell): 2 electrons
L-shell (second shell): 4 electrons
Sodium (Na):
Atomic number: 11
Electron configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹
Distribution by shell:
K-shell (first shell): 2 electrons
L-shell (second shell): 8 electrons
M-shell (third shell): 1 electron