[peacefulltortoise]

I wonder how we call the outer electron configuration state of Ar, Fe3+ and Na+? Are they "Full", "half-full" and what else? can anyone help me to correct these words? Thank you.

[Donaldson Tan]

can you list their electronic configurations?

[peacefulltortoise]

They are Ar: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6; Fe3+: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 (each obital has one electron); Na+:  1s2 2s2 2p6. Could you name each of their states for me?

[Donaldson Tan]

Ar: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

Although there are 3d orbitals, the energy level between 3p and 3d is so big that the configuration for 3s2 3p6 is considered full.

Fe3+: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5

It is considered half-filled because the 3d subshell can contain a max of 10electrons and it already contain 5.

Na+:  1s2 2s2 2p6

This is full because all the 2nd shell already contain the maximum number of electrons.

[peacefulltortoise]

Thank you, geodome.

[peacefulltortoise]

Hi Geodome,
Is there any other name of electron configuration outer shell beside "full" and "half-fill"? For example, of K+: we call "full", but that is not an atom so someone call it as "un real full", is that right?
I also have this question: I understand that Ar is "full" but I wonder the way you explained. If the energy level between 3p and 3d is so big so how could S in H2SO4 has +6 oxidation number? It must in high energy state with 1 electron in 3s subshell, 3 electrons in 3p  and 2 more in 3d.

[Mitch]

K⁺ is an atom and it does exist! If you have any questions about it, communicate it with your body's cells.