Chapter 6, Problem 6.1P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The ground-state electron configuration for the following ion should be determined:

Ni²+

Concept introduction: Electronic configuration represents the arrangement of electrons in different orbitals following the rules of filling of electrons in the atomic orbitals such as s orbital can have maximum of two electrons, p orbital can have maximum of 6 electrons and the maximum number of electrons in d and f orbitals are 10 and 14 respectively.

All the suborbital can have maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins.

Answer to Problem 6.1P

Solution: $\text{Ni}:[\text{Ar}]3d^{8}4s^2\underset{\text{electron loses}}{\overset{-2\text{ electrons}}{\to }}{\text{Ni}}^{2+}:[\text{Ar}]3d^8$

Explanation of Solution

The cation Ni²+ is formed when parent atom Ni loses two electrons. Ni has an atomic number 28, that is, Ni atom has 28 electrons. The electrons configuration of Ni is as follows:

  $\text{Ni }\left(28\right):\left[\text{Ar}\right]3d^{8}4s^2$

Nickel loses its two 4s electrons to give Ni²+ with the Nickel configuration as follows:

  $\text{Ni}:[\text{Ar}]3d^{8}4s^2\underset{\text{electron loses}}{\overset{-2\text{ electrons}}{\to }}{\text{Ni}}^{2+}:[\text{Ar}]3d^8$

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The ground-state electron configuration for the following ion should be determined:

N³-

Concept introduction: Electronic configuration represents the arrangement of electrons in different orbitals following the rules of filling of electrons in the atomic orbitals such as s orbital can have maximum of two electrons, p orbital can have maximum of 6 electrons and the maximum number of electrons in d and f orbitals are 10 and 14 respectively.

All the suborbital can have maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins.

Answer to Problem 6.1P

Solution:

  $\text{N}:1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^3\underset{\text{electron gains}}{\overset{\text{+3 electrons}}{\to }}{\text{N}}^{3-}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^6\text{ or Ne}$

Explanation of Solution

The anion N³- is formed when parent atom nitrogen gains three electrons. N has an atomic number 7, that is, N atom has 7 electrons. The electrons configuration of N is as follows:

  $\text{N}\left(7\right):1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^3$

Nitrogen gains 3 electrons to give N³- with the configuration as follows:

  $\text{N}:1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^3\underset{\text{electron gains}}{\overset{\text{+3 electrons}}{\to }}{\text{N}}^{3-}1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^6\text{ or Ne}$