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Chapter 7: Problem 76

Explain why the ground-state electron configurations of \(\mathrm{Cr}\) and \(\mathrm{Cu}\) are different from what we might expect.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The ground-state electron configurations of Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) are different from what we would expect based onAufbau Principle because they achieve a more stable state by having half-filled (in case of Cr: \(4s^13d^5\)) or completely filled (in case of Cu: \(4s^13d^{10}\)) sub-levels.

Step by step solution

01

Expected Electron Configuration for Chromium

According to the Aufbau Principle, electrons fill the energies beginning from the lowest energy level. By this principle, Chromium (Cr) with atomic number 24 would have the electron configuration \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^4\).
02

Actual Electron Configuration for Chromium

However, the actual electron configuration is \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^13d^5\). Chromium promotes one electron from the 4s orbital to the 3d orbital to achieve a half-filled sub-level, which offers more stability.
03

Expected Electron Configuration for Copper

For Copper (Cu) with atomic number 29, based on Aufbau Principle the expected electron configuration is \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^9\).
04

Actual Electron Configuration for Copper

On the contrary, the actual electron configuration is \(1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^13d^{10}\). Similar to Chromium, Copper promotes one electron from the 4s orbital to the 3d orbital to get a fully filled sub-level, which increases the stability.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

(a) What is the frequency of light having a wavelength of \(456 \mathrm{nm} ?\) (b) What is the wavelength (in nanometers) of radiation having a frequency of \(2.45 \times 10^{9} \mathrm{~Hz} ?\) (This is the type of radiation used in microwave ovens.)

What is a wave? Explain the following terms associated with waves: wavelength, frequency, amplitude.

List the types of electromagnetic radiation, starting with the radiation having the longest wavelength and ending with the radiation having the shortest wavelength.

How is the concept of electron density used to describe the position of an electron in the quantum mechanical treatment of an atom?

The electron configuration of a neutral atom is \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2} .\) Write a complete set of quantum numbers for each of the electrons. Name the element.
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