Chemistry Forums for Students > High School Chemistry Forum

Why does Silver (Ag) have 1 electron in its 5th energy level?

(1/1)

khaoz:
Is there any real reason to why Silver has one electron in its 5th energy level? Woudn't it make sense for it to have 2?

Edit:
Shoudn't its electron configuration be [Kr] 5s2 4d9

Mitch:
The is a common trend Cr, Mo, Zn, Cu, Ag, Au all do it.

Yggdrasil:
There is a special stability associated with having a half-full or completely-full d shell.  Since the 5s and 4d orbitals are so close in energy the added stability of a full d shell makes up for the cost of putting the electron in a 4d orbital instead of the 5s orbital (which is usually lower in energy than the 4d orbitals).

Mr T:
Ag: [Kr] 5s1  4d10

Navigation

[0] Message Index