Textbook Question 5A

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Kailyn_Kaiser_2G
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Textbook Question 5A

Postby Kailyn_Kaiser_2G » Mon Nov 11, 2024 11:03 am

The question is asking to write the ground state electron configuration for Cu+. The answer is [Ar] 3d10. I know 4s2 fills up first, but 3d10 is written first. Why is 3d10 the answer if 4s2 is full? I know adding the electron would make 3d10 a full shell, so does the 4s2 shell just not fill up?

aditipatel2K
Posts: 43
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 8:48 am

Re: Textbook Question 5A

Postby aditipatel2K » Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:20 pm

Hi! The electron configuration for Cu is [Ar]4s^1 3d^10 rather than [Ar]4s^2 3d^9 because [Ar]4s^1 3d^10 is more stable since the whole d orbital is full. Thus for Cu+ it is [Ar]3d^10 because you need to remove from 4s before 3d. I hope this helps!


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