Textbook Question
Do you expect a compound with vanadium in the +2 oxidation state to be an oxidizing or a reducing agent? Explain.
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 ion Au⁺?
A
[Xe] 4f14 5d10
B
[Xe] 4f14 5d9
C
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1
D
[Xe] 4f14 5d8 6s2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the electron configuration of the neutral gold (Au) atom. Gold has an atomic number of 79, so its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1.
Understand that Au⁺ is a positively charged ion, meaning it has lost one electron compared to the neutral atom.
Determine which electron is most likely to be removed when forming the Au⁺ ion. Typically, electrons are removed from the outermost shell first, which in this case is the 6s orbital.
Remove one electron from the 6s orbital of the neutral gold atom's electron configuration. This results in the electron configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d10.
Compare the resulting electron configuration with the given options to identify the correct configuration for Au⁺.
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