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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: quitelost on September 25, 2015, 01:29:00 AM

Title: Electron Configuration Question
Post by: quitelost on September 25, 2015, 01:29:00 AM

So I've been stuck on this question for a while and I can't seem to find anything helpful in my book or online.

I'm given an electron configuration for an unknown ion with a +3 charge: [Ar] 4s0 3d1 4p1. What is the identity of the ion?

The 4p1 is what is really throwing me off. At first I thought it might be Ti3+ since the s orbitals are dropped first for transition metals. That was wrong. How does the configuration have a 4p orbital filled but a non full d orbital and an empty s orbital? I'm completely lost on this problem and would really appreciate the help.

Title: Re: Electron Configuration Question
Post by: Borek on September 25, 2015, 02:19:39 AM

Just count electrons, don't worry about anything else.

You can always assume it is some excited state.