how many electrons are in the highest energy orbital of the element iron?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Do you know the electron  configuration of that element?

anonymous · Answer

It is 1s^2; 2s^2; 2p^6;3s^2; 3p^6; 4d^8.

anonymous · Answer

Next, it is important to know that the greater the orbital penetration, the greater the activation energy, because the effective nuclear charge in also greater. In this case, the s orbitals are the most deeply inside the atom, very close to the nucleus, therefore the s orbital has 2 electrons.

grimesssz · Answer

I thought it was 4d^2? I may be wrong though.

grimesssz · Answer

@Hoslos thank you for helping and explaining though! I've been having a real hard time with this!

jfraser · Answer

that's still not the correct electron configuration for iron

jfraser · Answer

it should be $$1s^2 2s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^{6}$$

anonymous · Answer

Yes, you and I condound 4d^2, with 4s^2, which makes JFraser's configuration correct. Also recall the orbital penetration thing that I explained earlier.