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Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements
Chapter 7, Problem 40

Which of the ions Ni2+, Fe2+, Co3+, and Pt2+ has an electron configuration of ๐‘›๐‘‘6(๐‘›=3,4,5,โ€ฆ)?
a. Ni2+
b. Fe2+
c. Co3+
d. Pt2+
e. More than one of these

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1
insert step 1> Determine the electron configuration of the neutral atoms: Ni, Fe, Co, and Pt. For transition metals, the general order is to fill the 4s orbital before the 3d orbital.
insert step 2> For each ion, remove electrons starting from the outermost shell, which is typically the s orbital, followed by the d orbital if necessary.
insert step 3> Calculate the electron configuration for each ion: Ni^{2+}, Fe^{2+}, Co^{3+}, and Pt^{2+}.
insert step 4> Identify which ion has an electron configuration ending in nd^6.
insert step 5> Compare the electron configurations to determine if more than one ion has the nd^6 configuration.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons. For transition metals, the d-orbitals play a significant role, and understanding how to write and interpret these configurations is essential for predicting chemical behavior and properties.
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Oxidation States

Oxidation states indicate the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound, reflecting the number of electrons lost or gained. Transition metals can exhibit multiple oxidation states, which affects their electron configurations. Knowing the oxidation state of an ion helps in determining its electron configuration, especially for ions like Ni2+, Fe2+, Co3+, and Pt2+.
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d-Orbital Filling

The d-orbitals are filled according to specific rules, including the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle. For transition metals, the filling of d-orbitals is crucial for understanding their chemical properties and electron configurations. The notation ๐‘›๐‘‘6 indicates that there are six electrons in the d-orbitals, which is key to identifying the correct ion from the given options.
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