Identify the element whose 2+ ion has the ground-state electron configuration [Ar] 3d10.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand that the given electron configuration [Ar] 3d^{10} represents the electron configuration of a 2+ ion, meaning the element has lost 2 electrons.

Step 2: Recognize that the electron configuration [Ar] 3d^{10} corresponds to a filled 3d subshell, which is characteristic of the transition metals.

Step 3: Recall that the electron configuration of a neutral atom is determined by adding electrons to the subshells in the order of increasing energy levels, following the Aufbau principle.

Step 4: Determine the neutral atom's electron configuration by adding 2 electrons to the given configuration [Ar] 3d^{10}, resulting in [Ar] 3d^{10} 4s^{2}.

Step 5: Identify the element with the electron configuration [Ar] 3d^{10} 4s^{2} as Zinc (Zn), which upon losing 2 electrons forms the Zn^{2+} ion with the configuration [Ar] 3d^{10}.

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 example, the notation [Ar] 3d10 indicates that the element has a core configuration similar to Argon, with ten electrons filling the 3d subshell.

Ionic Charge

Ionic charge refers to the electrical charge an atom acquires when it loses or gains electrons to form an ion. A 2+ ion indicates that the atom has lost two electrons. Understanding how the loss of electrons affects the electron configuration is crucial for identifying the element in question.

Transition Metals

Transition metals are elements found in the d-block of the periodic table, characterized by their ability to form variable oxidation states and colored compounds. The electron configuration [Ar] 3d10 suggests that the element is a transition metal, specifically one that has completely filled its 3d subshell, which is typical for elements like Zinc (Zn) when in the +2 oxidation state.