Consider element \(113,\) Nh. What is the expected electron configuration for Nh? What oxidation states would be exhibited by Nh in its compounds?

Element 113 is Nihonium (Nh), and its atomic number is 113. This means it has 113 electrons orbiting the nucleus. We will use this information to construct the electron configuration.

To determine the electron configuration for Nihonium, we will follow the aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals in increasing order of energy. We will use the periodic table to establish the order of the orbitals. The electron configuration for Nh is: \(1s^2 \ 2s^2 \ 2p^6 \ 3s^2 \ 3p^6 \ 4s^2 \ 3d^{10} \ 4p^6 \ 5s^2 \ 4d^{10} \ 5p^6 \ 6s^2 \ 4f^{14} \ 5d^{10} \ 6p^6 \ 7s^2 \ 5f^{14} \ 6d^{10} \ 7p^1\)

Now that we have the electron configuration for Nihonium, we can use it to predict the oxidation states Nh can exhibit in its compounds. The valence electrons are those in the outermost orbitals, which in the case of Nh are: - 7s: 2 electrons - 5f: 14 electrons - 6d: 10 electrons - 7p: 1 electron These orbitals determine the chemical properties and reactivity of Nh.

To predict the oxidation states for Nh, we will analyze the valence orbitals. The oxidation states represent the number of electrons an atom can lose, gain, or share while forming chemical bonds with other atoms. Generally, the elements in the same group exhibit the same oxidation states. Nh is in group 13, which includes elements like boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), and thallium (Tl). The common oxidation state for these elements is +3, as they tend to lose three electrons in their compounds. Nh can lose its 7p electron and two 7s electrons to achieve the +3 oxidation state. However, considering the relativistic effects and lanthanide contraction, Nh might also exhibit lower oxidation states, such as +1, similar to thallium (Tl), which is also in the same group and is known to exhibit the +1 oxidation state besides +3. In summary, Nh is expected to exhibit the oxidation states +3 and +1 in its compounds.