Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: BoyToy22 on March 24, 2015, 04:25:02 PM

Title: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: BoyToy22 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.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: magician4 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
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Corribus on March 24, 2015, 05:13:13 PM: I have to agree, unless I'm reading the question wrong.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: BoyToy22 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.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Corribus 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.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Babcock_Hall 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.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Borek on March 24, 2015, 08:11:38 PM: The way the question is worded I would answer Sc as well.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: BoyToy22 on March 25, 2015, 01:50:04 PM: Quote from: Babcock_Hall 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.
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?
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Babcock_Hall 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.
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Borek 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".
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: wholesomebolus on March 29, 2015, 12:11:44 PM: Scandium looks good to me!
Title: Re: Debate with Teacher over the Right Answer to a Question
Post by: Big-Daddy 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).