draw the electron configuration for a neutral atom of scandium.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine atomic number

Scandium has an atomic number of 21, so a neutral atom has 21 electrons.

Step2: Fill orbitals according to Aufbau principle

First, fill the 1s orbital with 2 electrons: $1s^2$. Then 2s with 2 electrons: $2s^2$. Next, 2p with 6 electrons: $2p^6$. Then 3s with 2 electrons: $3s^2$, 3p with 6 electrons: $3p^6$. After that, 4s is filled before 3d, so 4s gets 2 electrons: $4s^2$. Finally, the remaining 1 electron goes into 3d: $3d^1$.

Answer:

$1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^1$