What is the ground-state electron configuration of a Cl^- ion? A) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴ B) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁵ C) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶ D) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p² E) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁸

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ion is composed of atoms of Cl, S, and P, each with different electron configurations. The ground-state electron configuration of Cl is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5, with one valence electron in the 3p sublevel. The ground-state electron configuration of S is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4, with two valence electrons in the 3p sublevel. The ground-state electron configuration of P is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3, with three valence electrons in the 3p sublevel. To form the ion Cl^-, one electron is removed from the Cl atom, one from the S atom, and one from the P atom. This results in a total of three electrons being removed from the 3p sublevel, leaving six electrons in this sublevel. Therefore, the ground-state electron configuration for the ion would be 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6, which corresponds to choice C.

What Is the Ground-State Electron Configuration of a Cl- Ion

What Is the Ground-State Electron Configuration of a Cl^- Ion