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Topic: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question  (Read 4246 times)

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Offline BoyToy22

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Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« on: March 24, 2015, 04:25:02 PM »
The question is:
A particular metal cation M3+ ("3+" would be be the charge) has the electron configuration [Ar]. Write the complete electron configuration of this metal atom and identify its symbol.

My response was:
It's symbol is Sc. (scandium)
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d1

Teachers's answer was:
Ar Argon
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

Do you think I'm right or the teacherwas right? Thanks.

Offline magician4

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2015, 05:04:00 PM »
in my opinion: if he was asking for the very atom ( the ion Me3+ in question with it's electronic configuration equal to argon's is derived from) your answer is right

..esp. as argon is no metal...no way... no. it's not...


regards

Ingo
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Offline Corribus

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2015, 05:13:13 PM »
I have to agree, unless I'm reading the question wrong.
What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were like a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent?  - Richard P. Feynman

Offline BoyToy22

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2015, 05:26:06 PM »
If more people could give their input, that would be appreciated. I plan to print this out and make a case with my teacher. This question was worth 3 marks and I got 0.

Offline Corribus

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2015, 06:18:14 PM »
Have you considered just having a conversation with the teacher, letting him or her explain the reasoning behind the expected answer. This generally goes over better than creating a confrontation by trying to prove you are right using the opinions of strangers on the internet.
What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were like a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent?  - Richard P. Feynman

Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2015, 07:02:41 PM »
I think that your electronic configuration is wrong, but your symbol is correct.  Your configuration is of the free metal.  I also agree that discussing the matter privately is the better option, and I am a teacher.

Offline Borek

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2015, 08:11:38 PM »
The way the question is worded I would answer Sc as well.
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Offline BoyToy22

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2015, 01:50:04 PM »
I think that your electronic configuration is wrong, but your symbol is correct.  Your configuration is of the free metal.  I also agree that discussing the matter privately is the better option, and I am a teacher.
Alright I will handle this matter in an appropriate fashion and with respect.

Babock Hall what do you think is the correct electron configuration then? And why?

Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2015, 04:42:14 PM »
I think it is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 because scandium(III) has lost its three valance electrons.

Offline Borek

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2015, 05:08:17 PM »
Apparently "this metal atom" is ambiguous. I have read it as meaning "neutral atom of the element that has configuration of [Ar] when in the M3+ form".
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Offline wholesomebolus

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2015, 12:11:44 PM »
Scandium looks good to me!

Offline Big-Daddy

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Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2015, 02:31:46 PM »
"Metal atom", I think, implies the neutral form is desired. Else, the question would have read "metal ion" or similar (an atom is not an ion).

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