Chapter 4: Problem 157

Write the ground-state electron configuration for each of the following atoms or ions. Which have a valence-shell octet? (a) \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\) (b) Li (c) \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\) (e) \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified

The ground-state electron configurations are as follows: (a) \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\): 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶, 4s¹ (no octet). (b) Li: 1s², 2s¹ (no octet). (c) \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\): 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶ (octet). (d) \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\): 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁵ (no octet). (e) \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\): 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s² (no octet). Only the \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\) ion has a valence-shell octet.

Step by step solution

(a) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\)

The atom Calcium (Ca) has 20 electrons. Since it loses one electron as \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\), it has 19 electrons. So, the electron configuration is: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶, 4s¹. The valence shell has only 1 electron, so it doesn't have an octet.

(b) Determine the electron configuration for Li

The atom Lithium (Li) has 3 electrons. So, the electron configuration is: 1s², 2s¹. The valence shell has only one electron, so it doesn't have an octet.

(c) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\)

The atom Phosphorus (P) has 15 electrons. Since it gains three electrons as \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\), it has 18 electrons. So, the electron configuration is: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶. The valence shell has 8 electrons, so it has an octet.

(d) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\)

The atom Argon (Ar) has 18 electrons. Since it loses one electron as \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\), it has 17 electrons. So, the electron configuration is: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁵. The valence shell has 7 electrons, so it doesn't have an octet.

(e) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\)

The atom Silicon (Si) has 14 electrons. Since it loses two electrons as \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\), it has 12 electrons. So, the electron configuration is: 1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s². The valence shell has 2 electrons, so it doesn't have an octet.

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Write the ground-state electron configuration for each of the following atoms or ions. Which have a valence-shell octet? (a) \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\) (b) Li (c) \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\) (e) \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

(a) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Ca}^{+}\)

(b) Determine the electron configuration for Li

(c) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\)

(d) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Ar}^{+}\)

(e) Determine the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Si}^{2+}\)

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