Textbook Question
Locate on the periodic table the transition elements with the following electron configurations. Identify each element.
(c) [Kr] 4d25s2
(d) [Xe] 4f36s2
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds
Electron Configurations of Transition Metals
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for the Mo³⁺ ion?
A
[Kr] 4d⁴
B
[Kr] 4d² 5s²
C
[Kr] 4d³ 5s¹
D
[Kr] 4d³ 5s²
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of molybdenum (Mo), which is 42. This means a neutral Mo atom has 42 electrons.
Write the electron configuration for a neutral Mo atom. The configuration is: [Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹.
Determine the number of electrons to remove for the Mo³⁺ ion. Since it is a 3+ ion, remove 3 electrons from the neutral atom.
Remove electrons starting from the outermost shell. For Mo, the 5s electrons are removed first, followed by the 4d electrons.
After removing 3 electrons, the electron configuration for Mo³⁺ is: [Kr] 4d³.
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