What is the configuration of the Gallium atom?

The atomic number of gallium is 31, which means a neutral gallium atom has 31 electrons surrounding its nucleus. Electrons are organized into energy levels and sublevels within the atom. Here is the electronic configuration of a gallium atom:

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p¹

Let's break it down:

The first energy level (K shell) can hold up to 2 electrons, so the 1s sublevel is filled with 2 electrons.
The second energy level (L shell) can also hold up to 2 electrons, so the 2s sublevel is filled with 2 electrons.
The second energy level continues with the 2p sublevel, which can hold up to 6 electrons. In the case of gallium, the 2p sublevel is fully occupied with 6 electrons.
The third energy level (M shell) can hold up to 8 electrons. In gallium, the 3s sublevel is filled with 2 electrons.
The third energy level continues with the 3p sublevel, which can hold up to 6 electrons. In gallium, the 3p sublevel is fully occupied with 6 electrons.
The fourth energy level (N shell) can hold up to 8 electrons. The 4s sublevel is filled with 2 electrons.
The fourth energy level continues with the 3d sublevel, which can hold up to 10 electrons. In gallium, the 3d sublevel is fully occupied with 10 electrons.
Finally, the 4p sublevel in the fourth energy level is partially filled with 1 electron in the case of gallium.
So, the configuration of a gallium atom is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p¹.