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Illustrate the exception to the electron configuration of molybdenum.
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table
The Electron Configuration: Exceptions (Simplified)
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Which of the following is the correct electron configuration of gold?
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Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of gold (Au), which is 79. This means gold has 79 electrons in its neutral state.
Recall the order of filling electron orbitals using the Aufbau principle, which follows the sequence: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p.
Use the noble gas shorthand notation to simplify the electron configuration. The closest noble gas with fewer electrons than gold is xenon (Xe), which has 54 electrons.
Subtract the 54 electrons of xenon from the 79 electrons of gold, leaving 25 electrons to be accounted for in the electron configuration.
Fill the remaining 25 electrons in the orbitals following xenon: 6s (2 electrons), 4f (14 electrons), and 5d (9 electrons) to complete the electron configuration of gold.
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