Gallium

[sonalivij]

Why is the most likely charge of Gallium Ga3+?

[Michael Novelo 4G]

The electron configuration for Ga(3+) would be [Ar]3d^10 since the configuration of Ga is [Ar]3d^10 4s^2 4p^1 and we are removing 3 electrons the 4s^2 and 4p^1 are the ones removed.

[2c_britneyly]

The most likely charge is 3+ because atoms always try to reach their most stable state. For gallium, it's easier for it to become stable by giving up three electrons rather than receiving 5 electrons to complete its 4p shell. That's why most of the elements on the left side of the periodic table give up electrons instead of receiving them.

[sonalivij]

Why would gallium not have a full s-shell instead by losing one electron, instead of trying to get a full d shell by losing 3 electrons?