How to determine the electron configuration of an ion with simple steps
In short: Mastering ion electron configurations is essential for understanding chemical behavior. This video explains the systematic process of adjusting a neutral atom's configuration to account for its ionic charge, providing a clear method for students to follow.
To determine the electron configuration of an ion, you must first establish the configuration of the corresponding neutral atom. Once the neutral state is identified, you adjust the electron count based on the ion's charge by adding or removing electrons from the appropriate subshells.
For example, neutral lithium has a configuration of 1s²2s¹. Because a lithium ion (Li⁺) carries a positive charge, it contains one fewer electron than the neutral atom. By removing an electron from the 2s subshell, the resulting configuration for the ion becomes 1s².
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Electron configurations of ions | AP Chemistry | Khan Academy
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