What does the electron configuration of 1s^22s^2p^4 means?

Question

From the possible choices of

a. a metal that forms a positive ion
b. a metal that forms a negative ion
c. a nonmetal that forms a positive ion
d. a nonmetal that forms a negative ion

Answer 1

1S^2 2S^2 2p^4

(1st level contains 2 electrons, 2nd - 2 + 4) Sum=8 (Oxygen)
It's a nonmetal and it forms negative ions. Answer: D

Answer 2

1s^22s^2p^4

Oxygen = [He].2s2.2p4

Helium = 1s2 , so

Oxygen = 1s2.2s2.2p4

Oxygen is a nonmetal

In general, this distinction is drawn on the basis that a nonmetal tends to accept electrons and form negative ions,
so your answer would be
d. a nonmetal that forms a negative ion

Answer 3

oxygen, which forms a negative ion, so D

Answer 4

this electron configuration is for oxygen .........u can count the powers and can guess wht element is it .......the answer is oxygen because oxygen atomic # is 8 and the power u have is 8 too.....so this is correct.....