Electron Configuration question:

How do you write the electron configuration if an Element has a charge? Example: V^5+

I heard that p and s blocks get taken off respectively before the d block. But how would it look like?

Question

Electron Configuration question:

How do you write the electron configuration if an Element has a charge? Example: V^5+

I heard that p and s blocks get taken off respectively before the d block. But how would it look like?

aaronq · Answer

you remove electrons that are higher in energy (e.g. 4s electrons before 3d electrons)

so for vanadium, you have $\sf [Ar]3d^34s^2$

you remove the 2 4s elctrons and the 3 3d electrons, leaving with you just the electronic configuration of Ar.

vheah · Answer

Thanks. So you remove s electrons and d next? What about the p electrons?

aaronq · Answer

the 3p electrons would be next, but it's not really common for vanadium to lose some many electrons because it would take too much energy.

vheah · Answer

Okay. I think I got it. Thanks!

aaronq · Answer

No problem. If you have another example you can post what you think the answer is and i can check it.

vheah · Answer

Will do :)

vheah · Answer

Let's say it's Ni2+ 
would the electron config be [Ar]3d^8 ?

aaronq · Answer

yes

aaronq · Answer

$\huge \checkmark$

vheah · Answer

Yeeey. Thanks a lot. I think i got it now :)

aaronq · Answer

sweeet, no problemssss