Photo AI

The transition metal scandium forms the ion Sc$^{2+}$ in water - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2003 - Paper 1

Question icon

Question 13

The-transition-metal-scandium-forms-the-ion-Sc$^{2+}$-in-water-VCE-SSCE Chemistry-Question 13-2003-Paper 1.png

The transition metal scandium forms the ion Sc$^{2+}$ in water. The electronic configuration of Sc$^{2+}$ is A. 1s$^2$2s$^2$2p$^6$3s$^2$3p$^4$2 B. 1s$^2$2s$^2$2p$^6$... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The transition metal scandium forms the ion Sc$^{2+}$ in water - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2003 - Paper 1

Step 1

Determine the electron configuration of neutral Sc

96%

114 rated

Answer

Scandium (Sc) has an atomic number of 21, which means it has 21 electrons. The electron configuration of neutral Sc is:

1s2^2 2s2^2 2p6^6 3s2^2 3p1^1 4s2^2.

Step 2

Determine the configuration for Sc$^{2+}$

99%

104 rated

Answer

When Sc loses two electrons to form Sc2+^{2+}, the electrons are removed from the outermost shell first. Thus, the two electrons are removed from the 4s orbital:

From 1s2^2 2s2^2 2p6^6 3s2^2 3p1^1 4s2^2, we remove both 4s electrons. This gives us:

1s2^2 2s2^2 2p6^6 3s2^2 3p1^1.

Step 3

Select the correct answer from the options provided

96%

101 rated

Answer

The resulting electron configuration for Sc2+^{2+} is thus:

1s2^2 2s2^2 2p6^6 3s2^2 3p1^1. This matches option D: 1s2^22s2^22p6^63p6^6.

Join the SSCE students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;