2A.15 textbook set

[006463452]

For part d, I put down Ga+1 to get the electron configuration [Ar]3d^10 4s^2. I don't understand why the atom would rather give away two more electrons to be left with the full 3d subshell instead of giving away only one electron to have a full 4s and 3d subshell.

[Gian Albano 2A]

I think it is due to gallium preferring to lose the 3 electrons to reach the stable 3d^10 configuration. The stability of a filled 3d subshell and the noble gas core configuration contribute to how Ga^3+ is the favored one over the other ones even with the 4s orbital being filled in Ga+.