select the correct electron configurations from the list below. You can refer to the periodic table for atomic numbers.
The electron configuration of Cu+ is [Ar]4s13d9.
The electron configuration of S2− is [Ne]3s23p6.
The electron configuration of Fe is [Ar]4s23d6.
The electron configuration of Si is [Ne]3s23p2.
The electron configuration of Rb is [Kr]5s04d1.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Let’s analyze each given electron configuration and determine its correctness.
- Cu⁺ (Copper ion, +1 charge)
- Given: [Ar]4s¹3d⁹
- Correct Configuration: [Ar]3d¹⁰
- Explanation: Copper (Cu) has an atomic number of 29, with a neutral configuration of [Ar]4s¹3d¹⁰ (due to stability considerations). When Cu loses one electron to form Cu⁺, it loses the 4s electron first, resulting in [Ar]3d¹⁰. Thus, the given configuration is incorrect.
- S²⁻ (Sulfide ion, -2 charge)
- Given: [Ne]3s²3p⁶
- Correct Configuration: [Ne]3s²3p⁶
- Explanation: Sulfur (S) has an atomic number of 16, with a neutral configuration of [Ne]3s²3p⁴. When it gains two electrons to form S²⁻, it achieves the noble gas configuration of argon, [Ne]3s²3p⁶. Thus, this configuration is correct.
- Fe (Iron, neutral atom)
- Given: [Ar]4s²3d⁶
- Correct Configuration: [Ar]4s²3d⁶
- Explanation: Iron (Fe) has an atomic number of 26, with a neutral configuration of [Ar]4s²3d⁶. The given configuration is correct.
- Si (Silicon, neutral atom)
- Given: [Ne]3s²3p²
- Correct Configuration: [Ne]3s²3p²
- Explanation: Silicon (Si) has an atomic number of 14, with a neutral configuration of [Ne]3s²3p². The given configuration is correct.
- Rb (Rubidium, neutral atom)
- Given: [Kr]5s⁰4d¹
- Correct Configuration: [Kr]5s¹
- Explanation: Rubidium (Rb) has an atomic number of 37, with a neutral configuration of [Kr]5s¹. The given configuration is incorrect. The electron should be in the 5s orbital, not in the 4d orbital.
Final Evaluation:
✅ Correct Configurations:
- S²⁻: [Ne]3s²3p⁶
- Fe: [Ar]4s²3d⁶
- Si: [Ne]3s²3p²
❌ Incorrect Configurations:
- Cu⁺: Should be [Ar]3d¹⁰
- Rb: Should be [Kr]5s¹
This analysis follows the Aufbau principle, Hund’s rule, and the order of orbital filling.