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The electronic configuration of an element refers to the distribution of its electrons across various energy levels or atomic orbitals. It provides information about the arrangement and energy of electrons in an atom, helping us understand the chemical properties and behavior of elements. The electronic configuration is typically represented using a notation that specifies the number of electrons in each energy level, starting from the innermost to the outermost. For example, the electronic configuration of carbon (C) is 1s²2s²2p², indicating that it has two electrons in the 1s orbital, two in the 2s orbital, and four in the 2p orbital. The electronic configuration plays a crucial role in determining the properties of elements, such as their reactivity, bonding behavior, and position in the periodic table.